



PS 

6 


CONSTITUTION 


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OF THE 


FT MEADE 


GenCol1 


TATE OF MICHIGAN 


WITH 


SIDE NOTES, ANNOTATIONS AND INDEX 


COMPILED AND PUBLISHED 


UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF 


WASHINGTON GARDNER, SECRETARY OF STATE 

APRIL, 1895 




LANSING, MICH. 

ROBERT SMITH & CO., STATE PRINTERS AND BINDERS 

1895 


















































n 


U 


CONSTITUTION 


OF THE 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

WITH 

' SIDE NOTES, ANNOTATIONS AND INDEX 


COMPILED AND PUBLISHED 


UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF 


WASHINGTON GARDNER, SECRETARY OF STATE 


APRIL, 1895 



C } 
* “> 3 


LANSING, MICH. 

ROBERT SMITH & CO., STATE PRINTERS AND BINDERS 

1895 


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A934 


INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 


This publication of the constitution of Michigan has been com¬ 
pared with the engrossed copy of the constitution as signed by the 
president and members of the constitutional convention of 1850, which 
is on file in the office of the secretary of state, Lansing-, and it is 
an exact reprint of that document, except that the punctuation and 
use of capital letters is that of the editor; and in a few cases the 
engrosser, in copying, omitted or added letters, which errors have 
been corrected in this publication. 

In the “Journal of the Constitutional Convention” Section 6 of 
Article IV appears as follows: 


Section 6. No person holding- any office under the United States or this state 
or any county office, except notaries public, officers of the militia, and officers 
elected by townships, shall be eligible to or have a seat in either house of the 
legislature ; and all votes given for any such person shall be void. 

In the engrossed copy of the constitution as signed by the presi¬ 
dent and members of the convention the words “or this state” were 
omitted. 

Section 17 of Article V appears as follows in the “Journal of the 
Constitutional Convention:” 


Section 17. The lieutenant governor and president of the senate pro tempore 
when performing the duties of governor shall receive the same compensation as 
the governor. 


The word 
copy. 


“governor” after “lieutenant” is omitted in the engrossed 
WASHINGTON GARDNER, 


Secretary of State. 


Lansing, April 15 , 1 S 95 . 















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CONSTITUTION 


OF THE 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


TABLE OF CONTENTS. 


Article I.—Boundaries. 

Article II.—Seat of Government. 

Article HI.—Division of the Powers of Government. 
ArticeE IV.—legislative Department. 

ArticeE V. —Executive Department. 

ArTiceE VI.—Judicial Department. 

ArticeE VII.—Elections. 

ArTiceE VIII.—State Officers. 

ArticeE IX.—Salaries. 

ArticeE X.—Counties. 

ArticeE XI.—Townships. 

ArticeE XII.—Impeachments and Removals from Office. 
ArticeE XIII.—Education. 

ArticeE XIV.—Finance and Taxation. 

ArticeE XV.—Corporations. 

ArticeE XVI.—Exemptions. 

ArticeE XVII.—Militia. 

ArticeE XVIII.—Miscellaneous Provisions. 

ArticeE XIX.—Upper Peninsula. 

ArticeE XIX-A.— Railroads. 

ArticeE XX.—Amendment and Revision of the Constitution. 
SCHEDUEE. 


* 


































CONSTITUTION 


OF THE 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


[Annotated to April 10, 1894.] 


The People of the State of Michigan do Ordain this 

Constitution : 

ARTICLE I. 

BOUNDARIES. 

The state of Michigan consists of and has jurisdiction over 
the territory embraced within the following boundaries, to wit: 
Commencing at a point on the eastern boundary line of the 
state of Indiana, where a direct line drawn from the southern 
extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of 
the Maumee bay shall intersect the same — said point being 
the northwest corner of the state of Ohio, as established by 
act of congress, entitled “An act to establish the northern 
boundary line of the state of Ohio, and to provide for the 


For opinions bearing - upon the subject and construction of the constitution see Green 
v. Graves, 1 Doug - . 354; Williams v. The Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; Root v. The Mayor, 3 Mich. 
433; People v. May, 3 Mich. 593; Brown v. Fifield, 4 Mich. 322; Sears v. Cottrell, 5 Mich. 
251; Streeter v. Paton, 7 Mich. 341; People v. Blodgett, 13 Mich. 127; Van Husan v. 
Kanouse, 13 Mich. 308; Baj r City v. State Treasurer, 23 Mich. 499; Kennedy v. Gies, 25- 
Mich. 83; Whipple v. Judge, 26 Mich. 342; Attorney General v. Detroit, 29 Mich. 112; Peck 
v. Miller, 29 Mich. 574; Attorney General v. Preston, 56 Mich. 180; Mathias v. Cramer, 73 
Mich. 5; People v. Lyng - , 74 Mich. 579; Grand Rapids Chair Co. v. Runnels, 77 Mich. 104; 
Tice v. Bay City, 78 Mich. 209; Attorney General v. Detroit, 78 Mich. 545; Rhode v. 
Phelps, 80 Mich. 598; Smith v. Saginaw, 81 Mich. 123. 


Territorial 

jurisdiction- 




8 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. III. 


Seat of gov¬ 
ernment. 


Depart¬ 
ments of 
government. 


admission of the state of Michigan into the union upon the 
conditions therein expressed,” approved June fifteenth, one 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, thence with the said 
boundary line of the state of Ohio till it intersects the 
boundary line between the United States and Canada in Lake 
Erie, thence with said boundary line between the United 
States and Canada through the Detroit river, Lake Huron 
and Lake Superior to a point where the said line last touches 
Lake Superior; thence in a direct line through Lake Superior 
to the mouth of the Montreal river; thence through the mid¬ 
dle of the main channel of the said River Montreal to the 
head waters thereof; thence in a direct line to the center of 
the channel between Middle and South Islands in the Lake 
of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the southern shore of 
Lake Brule; thence along said southern shore and down the 
River Brule to the main channel of the Menominee river; 
thence down the center of the main channel of the same to 
the center of the most usual ship channel of the Green bay 
of Lake Michigan; thence through the center of the most 
usual ship channel of the said bay to the middle of Lake 
Michigan; thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to 
the northern boundary of the state of Indiana, as that line 
was established by the act of congress of the nineteenth of 
April, eighteen hundred and sixteen; thence due east with 
the north boundary line of the said state of Indiana to the 
northeast corner thereof; and thence south with the eastern 
boundary line of Indiana to the place of beginning. 

People v. Tyler, 7 Mich. 161. 


ARTICLE II. 

SKAT OF GOVKRNMKNT. 

The seat of government shall be at Lansing, where it is 
now established. 


ARTICLE HI. 

DIVISION OF THE POWERS OF GOVERNMENT. 

Section 1 . The powers of government are divided into 
three departments: The legislative, executive and judicial. 


Art. IV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


9 


Williams v. The Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; People v. Collins, 3 Mich. 
343; Sutherland v. The Governor, 29 Mich. 320; Shumway v. Ben¬ 
nett, 29 Mich. 451; State Tax Cases, 54 Mich. 388; Houseman v. 
Kent Cir. Judge, 58 Mich. 366; Eocke v. Speed, 62 Mich. 408; 
Clay v. Stewart, 74 Mich. 411. 

Section 2. No person belonging- to one department shall 
exercise the powers properly belonging- to another, except in 
the cases expressly provided in this constitution. 

People V. Collins, 3 Mich. 343; Flint & F. P. R. Co. v. Wood- 
hull, 25 Mich. 99; Butler v. Supervisors of Saginaw, 26 Mich. 22; 
Shumway v. Bennett, 29 Mich. 451; Clay v. Stewart, 74 Mich. 411. 


ARTICLE IV. 

LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. 

Section 1 . The legislative power is vested in a senate and 
house of representatives. 

Williams v. The Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; People v. Collins, 3 
Mich. 343; People v. Gallagher, 4 Mich. 244; Sears v. Cottrell, 5 
Mich. 255; Shumway v. Bennett, 29 Mich. 460; State Tax Cases, 
54 Mich. 396; Robison v. Haug and Miner, 68 Mich. 549; Bolt 
v. Riordan, 73 Mich. 518; Giddings v. Secretary of State, 93 
Mich. 1; Senate of Happy Home Club v. Board of Supervisors, 
99 Mich. 117. 

Section 2. The senate shall consist of thirty-two members. 
Senators shall be elected for two years and by single dis¬ 
tricts. Such districts shall be numbered from one to thirty- 
two inclusive, each of which shall choose one senator. No 
county shall be divided in the formation of senate districts, 
except such county shall be equitably entitled to two or more 
senators. 

Giddings v. Blacker, 93 Mich. 1. 

(») Section 3. The house of representatives shall consist of 
not less than sixty-four nor more than one hundred members. 
Representatives shall be chosen for two years and by single 
districts. Each representative district shall contain, as nearly 
as may be, an equal number of inhabitants, exclusive of per¬ 
sons of Indian descent who are not civilized or are members 
of any tribe, and shall consist of convenient and contiguous 
territory. But no township or city shall be divided in the 
formation of a representative district. When any township 

(a) As amended by joint resolution No. 42, laws of 1869, vol. I, p.425; ratified election 
of 1870. 


Limitation of 
powers of 
officers. 


The legis¬ 
lature. 


Senate. 


House of 
representa¬ 
tives. 


Representa¬ 
tive districts. 


2 



10 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. IV. 


Enumeration 
of inhabitants. 


Apportion¬ 
ment of 
senators and 
representa¬ 
tives. 


Members must 
be citizens. 


Removal va¬ 
cates office. 


or city shall contain a population which entitles it to more 
than one representative, then such township or city shall 
elect by general ticket the number of representatives to 
which it is entitled. Each county hereafter organized, with 
such territory as may be attached thereto, shall be entitled to 
a separate representative when it has attained a population 
equal to a moiety of the ratio of representation. In every 
county entitled to more than one representative the board 
of supervisors shall assemble at such time and place as the 
legislature shall prescribe and divide the same into repre¬ 
sentative districts, equal to the number of representatives to 
which such county is entitled by law, and shall cause to be 
filed in the offices of the secretary of state and clerk of such 
county a description of such representative districts, specify¬ 
ing the number of each district and population thereof, 
according to the last preceding enumeration. 

Smith v. Saginaw, 81 Mich. 123; Supervisors v. Secretary of 
State, 92 Mich. 638; Giddings v. Secretary of State, 93 Mich. 1. 

( b ) Section 4. The legislature shall provide by law for an 
enumeration of the inhabitants in the year eighteen hundred 
and fifty-four and every ten years thereafter; and at the first 
session after each enumeration so made, and also at the 
first session after each enumeration by the authority of the 
United States, the legislature shall rearrange the senate 
districts and apportion anew the representatives among the 
counties and districts, according to the number of inhabitants, 
exclusive of persons of Indian descent who are not civilized 
or are members of any tribe. Each apportionment and 
the division into representative districts by any board of 
supervisors shall remain unaltered until the return of another 
enumeration. 

Attorney Gen. v. Holihan, 29 Mich. 116 ; People v. Bradley, 36 
Mich. 447; Bay County v. Bullock, 51 Mich. 546; Smith v. Sagi¬ 
naw, 81 Mich. 123; Giddings v. Secretary of State, 93 Mich. 1. 

Section 5. Senators and representatives shall be citizens of 
the United States and qualified electors in the respective 
counties and districts which they represent. A removal from 
their respective counties or districts shall be deemed a vacation 
of their office. 

(b) As amended by joint resolution No. 42, laws of 1869, vol. I, p. 425; ratified election 
of 1870. 



Art. IV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


11 


Royce v. Goodwin, 22 Mich. 496; Auditor General v. Supervisors, 
89 Mich. 552. 

( c) Section 6. No person holding- any office under the United 
States or any county office, except notaries public, officers of 
the militia and officers elected by townships, shall be eligible 
to or have a seat in either house of the legislature, and all 
votes given for any such person shall be void. 

Section 7. Senators and representatives shall in all cases, 
except treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged 
from arrest. They shall not be subject to any civil process 
during the session of the legislature, or for fifteen days next 
before the commencement and after the termination of each 
session. They shall not be questioned in any other place for 
any speech in either house. 

Section 8. A majority of each house shall constitute a 
quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn 
from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent mem¬ 
bers in such manner and under such penalties as each house 
may prescribe. 

South worth v. P. & J. R. Co., 2 Mich. 287. 

Section 9. Each house shall choose its own officers, 
determine the rules of its proceedings, and judge of the 
qualifications, elections and returns of its members, and may, 
with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members elected, 
expel a member. No member shall be expelled a second time 
for the same cause, nor for any cause known to his constituents 
antecedent to his election ; the reason for such expulsion shall 
be entered upon the journal, with the names of the members 
voting on the question. 

People v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 481; Flint & F. P. R. Co. v. Wood- 
hull, 25 Mich. 99; Auditor General v. Supervisors, 89 Mich. 552. 

Section 10. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceed¬ 
ings and publish the same, except such parts as may require 
secrecy. The yeas and nays of the members of either house, 
on any question, shall be entered on the journal at the 
request of one-fifth of the members elected. Any member of 
either house may dissent from and protest against any act, 
proceeding or resolution which he may deem injurious to any 
person or the public, and have the reason of his dissent 
entered on the journal. 


Certain 

officers 

ineligible. 


Privileges of 
members. 


Majority to 

constitute 

quorum. 


Powers of 
each house. 


Expulsion of 
members. 


Each house to 
keep journal. 


Right of 
protest. 


(c) See introductory note. 



12 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. IV. 


Elections viva 
voce. 


Vote on nomi¬ 
nations. 


Doors to be 
open—ad¬ 
journments. 


Bills. 


Bills and 
resolutions 
to be pre¬ 
sented to 
governor. 


Proceeding’s 
when gov¬ 
ernor disap¬ 
proves bill. 


How vote 
determined. 


Bill to be¬ 
come law if 
not returned 
in ten days. 


May be 
signed in 
five daj r s 
after ad¬ 
journment. 


Attorney General v. Burch, 84 Mich. 408; Attorney General v. 
Supervisors, 89 Mich. 552; Common Council v. Assessors, 91 Mich. 
78; McPherson v. Secretary of . State, 92 Mich. 377; Barkworth v. 
Tateum, 95 Mich. 314. 

Section 11. In all elections, by either house or in joint 
convention the votes shall be given viva voce. All votes on 
nominations to the senate shall be taken by yeas and nays, 
and published with the journal of its proceeding's. 

Section 12. The doors of each house shall be open, unless 
the public welfare requires secrecy. Neither house shall, with¬ 
out the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, 
nor to any other place than where the legislature may then 
be in session. 

Section 13. Bills may originate in either house of the 
legislature. 

Coffin v. Flection Commissioners, 97 Mich. 188. 

Section 14. Every bill and concurrent resolution, except of 
adjournment, passed by the legislature, shall be presented to 
the. governor before it becomes a law. If he approve, he 
shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections 
to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the 
objections at large upon their journal, and reconsider it. On 
such reconsideration if two-thirds of the members elected 
agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to 
the other house, by which it shall be reconsidered. If 
approved by two-thirds of the members elected to that house, 
it shall become a law. In such case, the vote of both houses 
shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the 
members voting for and against the bill shall be entered on 
the journals of each house respectively. If any bill be not 
returned by the governor within ten days, Sundays excepted, 
after it has been presented to him, the same shall become a 
law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the legis¬ 
lature, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case 
it shall not become a law. The governor may approve, sign, 
and file in the office of the secretary of state, within five days 
after the adjournment of the legislature, any act passed during 
the last five days of the session, and the same shall become a 
law. 

Rhode v. Phelps, 80 Mich. 598; Attorney General v. Burch, 84 
Mich. 408. 


Art. IV. STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


13 


(d ) Section 15. The compensation of the members of the compen¬ 
sation of 

legislature shall be three dollars per day for actual attendance members. 

and when absent on account of sickness, but the legislature 

may allow extra compensation to the members from the terri- 9 f members 

J ■ L from upper 

tory of the upper peninsula, not exceeding two dollars per peninsula. 

day during a session. When convened in extra session, their Wh «n in extra 

compensation shall be three dollars a day for the first twenty 

days and nothing thereafter; and they shall legislate on no 

other subjects than those expressly stated in the governor’s 

proclamation, or submitted to them by special message. They 

shall be entitled to ten cents and no more for every mile Mileage. 

actually traveled, in going to and returning from the place 

of meeting, on the usually traveled route, and for stationery stationery. 

and newspapers not exceeding five dollars' for each member 

during any session. Each member shall be entitled to one Laws, jour- 

° J . nals, docu- 

copy of the laws, journals and documents of the legislature ments - 
of which he was a member, but shall not receive, at the 
expense of the state, books, newspapers or other perquisites 
of office not expressly authorized by this constitution. 

People v. Whittemore, State Treasurer, 2 Mich. 306. 


Section 16. The legislature may provide by law for the Postage . 

payment of postage on all mailable matter received by its 

members and officers during the sessions of the legislature, 

but not on any sent or mailed by them. 

Section 17. The president of the senate and the speaker compen¬ 
sation of 

of the house of representatives shall be entitled to the same president 

*■ and speak 

per diem compensation and mileage as members of the 
legislature, and no more. 

People v. Whittemore, State Treasurer, 2 Mich. 306. 


Section 18. No person elected a member of the legislature No member 

A ... to receive 

shall receive any civil appointment within this state, or to 
the senate of the United States, from the governor, the 
governor and senate, from the legislature, or any other 
state authority, during the term for which he is elected. All 
such appointments and all votes given for any person so 2*3inroi- 
elected for any such office or appointment shall be void. No state. wllh the 
member of the legislature shall be interested, directly or 
indirectly, in any contract with the state or atty county 


(d) As amended by joint resolution No. 18, laws of 1859, p. 1105; ratified electiori of 1860. 




14 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. IV. 


thereof, authorized by any law passed during - the time for 
which he is elected, nor for one year thereafter. 

People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 44; Attorney General v. Lennon, 86 
Mich. 468. 

Bills and joint Section 19. Every bill and joint resolution shall be read 

resolutions to , .. _ 

bereadthree three times in each house before the final passage thereot. 

No bill or joint resolution shall become a law without the 
concurrence of a majority of all the members elected to each 
house. On the final passage of all bills the vote shall be by 
ayes and nays and entered on the journal. 

Hart v. McElroy, 72 Mich. 453; Toll v. Jerome, 59 N. W. R. 816. 

Section 20. No law shall embrace more than one object, 
which shall be expressed in its title. No public act shall 
take effect or be in force until the expiration of ninety days 
from the end of the session at which the same is passed, 
unless the legislature shall otherwise direct, by a two-thirds 
vote of the members elected to each house. 


times. 


Ayes and 
nays on final 
passage. 


Law to em¬ 
brace but one 
object. 


When to 
take effect. 


People v. Collins, 3 Mich. 343; Rice v. Ruddiman, 10 Mich. 125; 
* Carlton v. People, 10 Mich. 250; People v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 481; 
Price v. Hopkins, 13 Mich. 318; Inkster v. Carver, 16 Mich. 488; 
Ryerson v. Utley, 16 Mich. 269; People v. Onondaga, 16 Mich. 254; 
People v. State Insurance Co., 19 Mich. 398; East Saginaw Man¬ 
ufacturing Co. v. East Saginaw, 19 Mich. 295; People v. Denahy, 
20 Mich. 349; Harrington v. Wands, 23 Mich. 388; Swartwout v. 
Michigan Air Eine R. R. Co., 24 Mich. 398; People v. Hurlbut, 24 
Mich. 44; Insurance Co. v. Treasurer, 31 Mich. 6; Kurtz v. People, 
33 Mich. 282; Auditor General v. Monroe, 36 Mich. 70; People v. 
Bradley, 36 Mich. 447; Stewart v. Father Matthew Society, 41 Mich. 
67; Stewart v. Riopelle, 48 Mich. 177; Rogers v. Windoes, 48 Mich. 
628; Anderson v. Hill, 54 Mich. 485; Attorney General v. Joy, 55 
Mich. 94; McKellar v. Detroit, 57 Mich. 159; Thomas v. Collins, 
58 Mich. 64: Bissel v. Wayne Probate Judge, 58 Mich. 237; N. W. 
Mfg. Co. v. Circuit Judge, 58 Mich. 381; Attorney General v. 
Weimer, 59 Mich. 580; Callaghan v. Chipman, 59 Mich. 610; Peo¬ 
ple v. Beadle, 60 Mich. 22; Attorney General v. Amos, 60 Mich. 
372; People v. Gadway, 61 Mich. 285; Skinner v. Wilhelm, 63 Mich. 
568; Detroit v. Wabash, St. L. & Pacific Ry. Co., 63 Mich. 712; 
Church v. Detroit, 64 Mich. 571; Nester v. Busch, 64 Mich. 657; 
Wilcox v. Paddock, 65 Mich. 23; Hargrave v. Weber, 66 Mich. 59; 
Boyce v. Sebring, 66 Mich. 210; Tolford v. Church, 66 Mich. 431; 
People v. Pond, 67 Mich. 98; People v. Gobles, 67 Mich. 475; People 
v. Kirsch, 67 Mich. 539; Supervisors of Sanilac County v. Auditor 
General, 68 Mich. 659; Robinson v. Haug and Miner, 68 Mich. 549; 
Hall v. Slaybaugh, 69 Mich. 484; Gillett v. McEaughlin, 69 Mich. 
547; Flower v. Whitkovsky, 69 Mich. 371; People v. Phippin, 70 
Mich. 6; Ellis v. Hutchinson, 70 Mich. 154; Hartford Insurance 
Co. v. Commissioner of Insurance, 70 Mich. 485; in re Hauck (local 


Art. IV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


15 


option law), 70 Mich. 396; Attorney General v. Supervisors of 
Sanilac County (taxation of mortgages), 71 Mich. 16; Plummer v. 
Kennedy, 72 Mich. 301; Hart v. McElroy, 72 Mich. 446; People v. 
Howard, 73 Mich. 13; Clinton v. Tansing, 73 Mich. 287; Isle Royal, 
etc., cor. v. Osmun, 76 Mich. 162; Brooks v. Hydorn, 76 Mich. 273; 
Eaton v. Walker, 76 Mich. 579; People v. Congdon, 77 Mich. 351; 
Tice v. Bay City, 78 Mich. 209; Jenking v. Osmun, 79 Mich. 305; 
Stow v. Grand Rapids, 79 Mich. 595; Auditor General v. Take 
George & M. R. R. Co., 82 Mich. 426; Fort St. Union Depot Co. v. 
Morton, 83 Mich. 265; Auditor General v. Stiles, 83 Mich. 460; 
Ripley v. Evans (corporation), 87 Mich. 218; People v. Miller, 88 
Mich. 385; Hall v. Burlingame, 88 Mich. 438; Davis v. Supervisors, 
89 Mich. 295; People v. Slack, 90 Mich. 448; Frary v. Township, 
91 Mich. 666; McPherson v. Secretary of State, 92 Mich. 377; Grand 
Rapids v. Judge, 93 Mich. 469; Van Husan v. Heames, 96 Mich. 504; 
Bissell v. Heath, 98 Mich. 472; People v. Brooks, 59 N. W. R. 444; 
Toll v. Jerome, 59 N. W. R. 816. 

Section 21. The legislature shall not grant nor authorize 
extra compensation to any public officer, agent or contractor, 
after the service has been rendered or the contract entered 
into. 

Section 22. The legislature shall provide by law that the 
furnishing of fuel and stationery for the use of the state, 
the printing and binding the laws and journals, all blanks, 
paper and printing for the executive departments, and all 
other printing ordered by the legislature, shall be let by con¬ 
tract to the lowest bidder or bidders, who shall give adequate 
and satisfactory security for the performance thereof. The 
legislature shall prescribe by law the manner in which the 
state printing shall be executed, and the accounts rendered 
therefor; and shall prohibit all charges for constructive labor. 
They shall not rescind nor alter such contract, nor release 
the person or persons taking the same, or his or their sureties, 
from the performance of any of the conditions of the contract. 
No member of the legislature nor officer of the state shall 
be interested directly or indirectly in any such contract. 

Ayers v. State Auditors, 42 Mich. 422. 

Section 23. The legislature shall not authorize, by private 
or special law, the sale or conveyance of any real estate 
belonging to any person; nor vacate nor alter any road laid 
out by commissioners of highways, or any street in any city 
or village, or in any recorded town plat. 

Joy v. J. & M. P. R. Co., 11 Mich. 155; People v. Supervisors 
of Ingham, 20 Mich. 95; Davies v. Supervisors, 89 Mich. 295. 


Extra com¬ 
pensation 
forbidden. 


Fuel, sta¬ 
tionery, 
printing - , etc., 
to be let by 
contract. 


Of contracts. 


Sale of real 
estate, vaca¬ 
ting - roads, 
etc. 


16 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. IV. 


Chaplain for 
state prison. 

Religious 
services in 
either house. 


Altering or 

amending 

laws. 


Divorces. 


Lotteries. 


Introduction 
of bills. 


Contested 

elections. 


Ineligibility 
of certain 
persons. 


Private 

claims. 


Section 24. The legislature may authorize the employment 
of a chaplain for the state prison; but no money shall be 
appropriated for the payment of any religious services in 
either house of the legislature. 

Section 25. No law shall be revised, altered or amended by 
reference to its title only; but the act revised and the section 
or sections of the act altered or amended shall be re-enacted 
and published at length. 

People v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 497; Underwood v. McDuffee, 15 
Mich. 361; Jones v. Commissioners, 21 Mich. 236; Harrington v. 
Wands, 23 Mich. 385; Swartwout v. Michigan Air Eine R. R. Co., 
24 Mich. 399; Mok v. Detroit B. & S. Association, 30 Mich. 511; 
Comstock v. Judge, 39 Mich. 195; Gordon v. People, 44 Mich. 485; 
Ripley v. Evans (corporation), 87 Mich. 218; Attorney General v. 
Parsell, 99 Mich. 381. 

Section 26. Divorces shall not be granted by the legis¬ 
lature. 

Teft v. Teft, 3 Mich. 67. 

Section 27. The legislature shall not authorize any lottery 
nor permit the sale of lottery tickets. 

People v. Reilly, 50 Mich. 384. 

( e ) Section 28. No new bill shall be introduced into either 
house of the legislature after the first fifty days of a session 
shall have expired. 

Pack v. Barton, 47 Mich. 520; Callaghan v. Chipman, 59 Mich. 
613; Attorney General v. Amos, 60 Mich. 373; Hart v. McElroy, 
72 Mich. 453; Sackrider v. Supervisors, 79 Mich. 59; Attorney 
General v. Plank Road Co., 97 Mich. 589; Toll v. Jerome, 59 N. 
W. R. 816. 

Section 29. In case of a contested election, the person only 
shall receive from the state per diem compensation and 
mileage who is declared to be entitled to a seat by the house 
in which the contest takes place. 

Section 30. No collector, holder nor disburser of public 
moneys shall have a seat in the legislature, or be eligible to 
any office of trust or profit under this state, until he shall have 
accounted for and paid over, as provided by law, all sums for 
which he may be liable. 

Section 31. The legislature shall not audit nor allow any 
private claim or account. 


(e) As amended by joint resolution No. 18, laws of 1859, p. 1105; ratified election of 
1860. 



Art. IV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


17 


People v. Onondaga, 16 Mich. 254; Bristol v. Johnson, 34 Mich. 123. 

Section 32. The legislature, on the day of final adjourn¬ 
ment, shall adjourn at twelve o’clock at noon. 

( f) Section 33. The legislature shall meet at the seat of 
government on the first Wednesday in January, in the year one 
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and on the first 
Wednesday of January in every second year thereafter, and 
at no other place or time, unless as provided in the constitu¬ 
tion of the state, and shall adjourn without day at such time 
as the legislature shall fix by concurrent resolution. 

Section 34. The election of senators and representatives, 
pursuant to the provisions of this constitution, shall be held 
on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of November, in 
the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, and on 
the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of November of 
every second year thereafter. 

Section 35. The legislature shall not establish a state paper. 
Every newspaper in the state which shall publish all the 
general laws of any session within forty days of their passage 
shall be entitled to receive a sum not exceeding fifteen dollars 
therefor. 

Section 36. The legislature shall provide for the speedy 
publication of all statute laws of a public nature, and of 
such judicial decisions as it may deem expedient. All laws 
and judicial decisions shall be free for publication by any 
person. 

Ayers v. State Auditors, 42 Mich. 422; Matter of Head Notes, 
43 Mich. 643. 


Hour of ad¬ 
journment. 


Meeting- of 
legislature. 


Election of 
senators 
and repre¬ 
sentatives. 


State paper. 


Compensa¬ 
tion for pub¬ 
lishing- laws. 


Publication 
of statutes 
and decisions. 


Section 37. The legislature may declare the cases in which vacancies, 
any office shall be deemed vacant, and also the manner of 
filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that 
purpose in this constitution. 

Keeler v. Robertson, 27 Mich. 116; Attorney General v. Burch, 

84 Mich. 408; Attorney General v. Trombly, 89 Mich. 50. 

Section 38. The legislature may confer upon organized ^^ 1 1 ation 
townships, incorporated cities and villages, and upon the board 
of supervisors of the several counties, such powers of a local, 
legislative and administrative character as they may deem 
proper. 


(f) As amended by joint resolution No. 18, laws of 1859, p. 1105; ratified election of 1860. 



18 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. IV. 


Religious 

liberty. 


Appropria¬ 
tion for re¬ 
ligious 
purposes» 
forbidden. 


Rights of 
opinion. 


Liberty of 
speech and 
press. 


Attainder, 

etc. 


People v. Collins, 3 Mich. 343; People v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 481; 
Detroit v. Blackeby, 21 Mich. 84; People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 84; 
Attorney General v. Eothrop, 24 Mich. 235; Park Commissioners 
v. Detroit, 28 Mich. 228; Attorney General v. Detroit, 29 Mich. 
108; Shumway v. Bennett, 29 Mich. 451; Torrent v. Common 
Council Muskeg-on, 47 Mich. 115; Attorney General v. Marr, 55 
Mich. 450; Met. Police Board v. Wayne County, 68 Mich. 576;' Bolt 
v. Riordan, 73 Mich. 508; People v. Hanrahan, 75 Mich. 616; 
Port Huron v. Jenkinson, 77 Mich. 414; Holden v. Board of 
Supervisors, 77 Mich. 202; Commissioners v. Common Council of 
Detroit, 80 Mich. 663; Smith v. Saginaw, 81 Mich. 123; Alderton 
v. Binder, Pistorius v. Stempel, 81 Mich. 133; Feek v. Blooming- 
dale, 82 Mich. 393; Friesner v. Common Council, 91 Mich. 504; 
Speed v. Common Council, 97 Mich. 197, 98 Mich. 360. 

Section 39. The legislature shall pass no law to prevent 
any person from worshiping Almighty God according to the dic¬ 
tates of his own conscience, or to compel any person to attend, 
terect, or support any place of religious worship, or to pay 
tithes, taxes or other rates for the support of any minister of 
the gospel or teacher of religion. 

Section 40. No money shall be appropriated or drawn from 
the treasury for the benefit of any religious sect or society, 
theological or religious seminary, nor shall property belonging 
to the state be appropriated for any such purposes. 

Section 41. The legislature shall not diminish or enlarge 
the civil or political rights, privileges and capacities of any 
person on account of his opinion or belief concerning matters 
of religion. 

People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 92; Frazee’s case, 63 Mich. 396. 

Section 42. No law shall ever be passed to restrain or 
abridge the liberty of speech or of the press; but every person 
may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all sub¬ 
jects, being responsible for the abuse of such right. 

Park v. Free Press Co., 72 Mich. 560. 

Section 43. The legislature shall pass no bill of attainder, 
ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts. 

Scott v. Smart’s Ex., 1 Mich. 295; Mundy v. Monroe, 1 Mich. 
68; Cargill v. Power, .1 Mich. 369; Crane v. Hardy, 1 Mich. 56; 
People v. Hawley, 3 Mich. 330; People v. Jackson and M. P. R. 
Co., 9 Mich. 285; People v. East Saginaw Salt Co., 9 Mich. 327; 
Blackwood v. VanVleet, 11 Mich. 252; Crippin v. Morrison, 13 
Mich, 23; East Saginaw Mfg. Co. v. East Saginaw, 19 Mich. 259; 
Newton v. McKay, 30 Mich. 380; Detroit v. D. & H. P. R. Co., 43 
Mich. 143; Head notes, 43 Mich. 644; Guild v. Kidd, 48 Mich. 307; 


Art. IV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


19 


Daniels v. Watertown Tp., 61 Mich. 514; Hall v. Perry, 72 Mich. 

205; Bourgette v. Williams, 73 Mich. 211; Mason v. Perkins, 73 
Mich. 303; People v. Dane, 81 Mich. 36; Bradley v. Tittabawassee 
Boom Co., 82 Mich. 9; Common Council v. Assessors, 91 Mich. 78; 
in re Canfield, 98 Mich. 644; Mich. State Bank v. Hastings, 1 
Doug. 225; Willard v. Eongstreet, 2 Doug. 172; Joy v. Thompson, 

1 Doug. 373; Bronson v. Newberry, 2 Doug. 38; Rockwell v. 

Hubbell’s Ad’s, 2 Doug. 197. 

Section 44. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus Habeas 
remains and shall not be suspended by the legislature, except corpus ' 
in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety require it. 

McBride v. Grand Rapids, 32 Mich. 360. 

Section 45. The assent of two-thirds of the members elected Bills appro- 
to each house of the legislature shall be requisite to every money5 
bill appropriating the public money or property for local or 
private purposes. 

McRae v. Commissioner, 89 Mich. 463. 

Section 46. The legislature may authorize a trial by a jury Trial byjuryi 
of a less number than twelve men. 

McRae v. Railroad Co., 93 Mich. 399. 

(ar) Section 47.— 

Westinghausen v. People, 44 Mich. 265; People v. Walling, 53 
Mich. 267. 

Section 48. The style of the laws shall be, “The People of styieotiaws. 
the State of Michigan enact.” 

(h) Section 49. The legislature may provide for the laying county and 

. . township 

out, construction and maintenance of county and township roads, 
roads, and may provide that any road heretofore laid out shall 
be a county or township road. County roads may be main¬ 
tained at the expense of the county, and township roads at the 
expense of the township. County roads shall be under the 
control of a board of commissioners not to exceed five in 
number who shall be elected by the people, the number of 
said commissioners to be fixed by the board of supervisors of 
the* county. For the construction and maintenance of county 
roads the commissioners may provide for an annual tax not 
exceeding two dollars upon each one thousand dollars of the 
assessment roll of the county for the preceding year. No 

(g)By amendment proposed by the legislature of 1875, joint resolution No. 21, and 
approved by the people at the November election of 1876, section 47, article IV, was 
stricken out. It prohibited the license of the sale of intoxicating liquors. 

(h.) As amended by joint resolution No. 11, public acts 1893; ratified April election, 1893. 



20 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. V. 


Indebtedness. 


Governor. 

Lieutenant 

governor. 


Eligibility. 


How elected. 


county shall incur any indebtedness or issue any bonds for 
the construction or maintenance of county roads, except upon 
a vote of two-thirds of all the supervisors elected, and then to 
be approved by a majority vote at any general or special 
election; nor shall any such indebtedness at any time exceed 
three per cent of the valuation of the county upon the last 
preceding assessment roll. The legislature may modify, 
change or repeal the powers and duties of the township 
commissioner of highways and overseer of highways. The 
legislature may pass all necessary laws to carry this amend¬ 
ment into effect: Provided , That any act or acts passed by 
the legislature to carry this amendment into effect shall 
provide for a county and township system, and the county 
system shall become operative only in such counties as shall 
adopt it by a majority vote of the electors of said county, 
after the said question has been submitted to them by a two- 
thirds vote of all the members elect of the board of super¬ 
visors of such county, at a general or special election called 
for that purpose. 

ARTICLE V. 

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 

Section 1 . The executive power is vested in a governor 
who shall hold his office for two years. A lieutenant 
governor shall be chosen for the same term. 

Amber v. Auditor General, 38 Mich. 746; Southerland v. The 
Governor, 39 Mich. 320. 

Section 2. No person shall be eligible to the office of 
governor or lieutenant governor, who has not been five years 
a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state 
two years next preceding his election; nor shall any person be 
eligible to either office who has not attained the age of thirty 
years. 

Section 3. The governor and lieutenant governor shall be 
elected at the times and places of choosing the members of 
the legislature. The person having the highest number of 
votes for governor or lieutenant governor shall be elected. 
In case two or more persons shall have an equal and the 
highest number of votes for governor or lieutenant governor, 
the legislature shall, by joint vote, choose one of such 
persons. 


Art. V. 


STATE OP MICHIGAN. 


21 


Section 4. The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the Power of gov- 
military and naval forces, and may call out such forces to crnor ‘ 
execute the laws, to suppress insurrections and to repel 
invasions. 

Section 5. He shall transact all necessary business with Executive 

business. 

officers of government, and may require information in 
writing from the officers of the executive department upon 
any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. 

Section 6. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully Execution of 

J laws. 

executed. 

Section 7. He may convene the legislature on extraordinary Extra session, 
occasions. 

Section 8. He shall give to the legislature, and at the close Messages, 
of his official term, to the next legislature, information by 
message of the condition of the state, and recommend such 
measures to them as he shall deem expedient. 

Section 9. He may convene the legislature at some other When session 
place when the seat of government becomes dangerous from elsewhere, 
disease or a common enemy. 

Section 10. He shall issue writs of election to fill such writs of elec¬ 
tion. 

vacancies as occur in the senate or house of representatives. 

Section 11. He may grant reprieves, commutations and par- Reprieves 

J ° r r and pardons> 

dons after convictions, for all offenses except treason and cases 
of impeachment, upon such conditions, and with such restric¬ 
tions and limitations, as he may think proper, subject to 
regulations provided by law, relative to the manner of 
applying for pardons. Upon conviction for treason, he may incase of 
suspend the execution of the sentence until the case shall be 
reported to the legislature at its next session, when the 
legislature shall either pardon, or commute the sentence, direct 
the execution of the sentence, or grant a further reprieve. 

He shall communicate to the legislature at each session 
information of each case of reprieve, commutation or pardon 
granted, and the reasons therefor. 

People v. Moore, 62 Mich. 496; People v. Cummings, 88 Mich. 249. 

Section 12. In case of the impeachment of the governor, his in case of 

vacancy, 

removal from office, death, inability, resignation, or absence absence, etc. 
from the state, the powers and duties of the office shall 
devolve upon the lieutenant governor, for the residue of the 
term, or until the disability ceases. When the governor shall 


22 


CONSTITUTION OF THF 


Art. VI. 


Who to act as 
governor. 


President of 
senate. 


Ineligibility 
of certain 
persons. 


Ineligible to 
office. 


Compensa¬ 

tion. 


Great seal. 


Commissions; 
how issued. 


Judicial 

power. 


be out of the state in time of war, at the head of a military 
force thereof, he shall continue commander-in-chief of all the 
military force of the state. 

Section 13. During* a vacancy in the office of governor, if 
the lieutenant g-overnor die, resign, or be impeached, displaced, 
be incapable of performing- the duties of his office, or absent 
from the state, the president pro tempore of the senate shall 
act as g-overnor until the vacancy be filled or the disability 
cease. 

Section 14. The lieutenant g-overnor shall, by virtue of his 
office, be president of the senate. In committee of the whole 
he may debate all questions; and when there is an equal 
division, he shall give the casting vote. 

Section 15. No member of congress, nor any person holding 
office under the United States, or this state, shall execute the 
office of governor. 

Section 16. No person elected governor or lieutenant gov¬ 
ernor shall be eligible to any office or appointment from the 
legislature, or either house thereof, during the time for which 
he was elected. All votes for either of them for any such 
office shall be void. 

( i ) Section 17. The lieutenant and president of the senate 
pro tempore , when performing the duties of governor, shall 
receive the same compensation as the governor. 

Section 18. All official acts of the governor, his approval 
of the laws excepted, shall be authenticated by the great seal 
of the state, which shall be kept by the secretary of state. 

Attorney General v. Jochim, 99 Mich. 358. 

Section 19. All commissions issued to persons holding office 
under the provisions of this constitution shall be in the name 
and by the authority of the people of the state of Michigan, 
sealed with the great seal of the state, signed by the governor, 
and countersigned by the secretary of state. 

ARTICLE VI. 

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. 

Section 1 . The judicial power is vested in one supreme 
court, in circuit courts, in probate courts and in justices of 


(i) See introductory note. 



Art. VI. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


23 


the peace. Municipal courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction 
may be established by the legislature in cities. 

People v. Auditor General, 5 Mich. 193; Chandler v. Nash, 5 
Mich. 409; Daniels v. People, 6 Mich. 381; Streeter v. Paton, 7 
Mich. 341; Underwood v. McDuffee, 15 Mich. 361; Royce v. Good¬ 
win, 22 Mich. 320; Rowe v. Rowe, 28 Mich. 353; Southerland v. : 

The Governor, 29 Mich. 499; Jones v. Judge, etc., 35 Mich. 494; 

Coveil v. Treasurer Kent Co., 36 Mich. 322; Heath v. Judge, 37 
Mich. 372; Allen v. Judge, etc., 37 Mich. 474; G. R. N. & E. S. 

R. Co. v. Gray, 38 Mich. 461; Burger’s case, 39 Mich. 203; Shur- 
bun v. Hooper, 40 Mich. 503; Douveille v. Manistee Sup., 40 Mich. 

585; People v. Hurst, 41 Mich. 328; Allor v. Auditors Wayne Co., 

43 Mich. 76; Elliott v. Farwell, 44 Mich. 186: People v. Gallagher, 

75 Mich. 512; Perrott v. Pierce, 75 Mich. 578; People v. Cummings, 

88 Mich. 249; Bissell v. Heath, 98 Mich. 472. 

(j ) Section 2. For the term of six years and thereafter until supreme 
the legislature otherwise provide, the judges of the several cir- court ' 
cuit courts shall be judges of the supreme court, four of whom 
shall constitute a quorum. A concurrence of three shall be 
necessary to a final decision. After six years the legislature 
may provide by law for the organization of a supreme court, 
with the jurisdiction and powers prescribed in this constitu¬ 
tion, to consist of one chief justice and three associate 
justices, to be chosen by the electors of the state. Such 
supreme court, when so organized, shall not be changed or 
discontinued by the legislature for eight years thereafter. 

The iudges thereof shall be so classified that but one of them classification 

J ° and term of 

shall go out of office at the same time. The term of office office - 
shall be eight years. 

People v. Auditor General, 5 Mich. 193. 

Section 3. The supreme court shall have a general super- Powers of. 
intending control over all inferior courts, and shall have power 
to issue writs of error, habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, 
procedendo, and other original and remedial writs, and to 
hear and determine the same. In all other cases it shall 
have appellate jurisdiction only. 

Teller v. Wetherell, 6 Mich. 46; People v. Jackson, 8 Mich. 78; 

Sanger v. Truesdail, 8 Mich. 543; Farrell v. Taylor, 12 Mich. 113; 

People v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 481; Jones v. Smith, 14 Mich. 334; 

Demaray v. Eittle, 17 Mich. 386; Hick’s case, 20 Mich. 129; Specht 
v. Detroit, 20 Mich. 168; McBride v. Grand Rapids, 32 Mich. 360; 

Wyandotte R. M. Co. v. Robinson, 34 Mich. 428; King v. Carpenter, 

(j) Act No. 6, public acts 1887, provides that there shall be five justices of the supreme 
court and that the term of office of each shall be ten years. 



24 


CONSTITUTION OF THE} 


Art. VI. 


Terms. 


Rules, etc. 


Master in 
chancery pro¬ 
hibited. 


Judicial cir¬ 
cuits. 


Alteration of 
circuits, etc. 


37 Mich. 363; Tawas R. R. v. Iosco Judg-e, 44 Mich. 479; People 
v. Swift, 59 Mich. 540; Auditor General v. Supervisors, 89 Mich. 
552; Giddings v. Blacker, 93 Mich. 1; Bank of Mich. v. Niles, 
Walk. Ch. 398. 

Section 4. Four terms of the supreme court shall be held 
annually at such times and places as may be designated by 
law. 

Section 5. The supreme court shall, by general rules, estab¬ 
lish, modify and amend the practice in such court and in the 
circuit courts, and simplify the same. The legislature shall, 
as far as practicable, abolish distinctions between law and 
equity proceedings. The office of master in chancery is 
prohibited. 

State Tax Law Cases, 54 Mich. 372; Brown v. Circuit Judge, 75 
Mich. 289. 

(k) Section 6. The state shall be divided into judicial cir¬ 
cuits, in each of which the electors thereof shall elect one 
circuit judge, who shall hold his office for the term of six years, 
and until his successor is elected and qualified. The legisla¬ 
ture may provide for the election of more than one circuit 
judge in the judicial circuit in which the city of Detroit is 
or may be situated, and in the judicial circuit in which the 
county of Saginaw is or may be situated, and in the judicial 
circuit in which the county of Kent is or may be situated. 
And the circuit judge or judges of said circuits, in addition 
to the salary provided by this constitution, shall receive from 
their respective counties such additional salary as may from 
time to time be fixed and determined by the boards of 
supervisors of said counties. And the board of supervisors 
of each county in the upper peninsula is hereby authorized and 
empowered to give and pay to the circuit judge of the judicial 
circuit, to which such county is attached, such additional 
salary or compensation as may from time to time be fixed 
and determined by such board of supervisors. This section, 
as amended, shall take effect from the time of its adoption. 

G. R., N. & L. S. R. R. Co. v. Gray, 38 Mich. 461; Attorney 
General v. Burch, 84 Mich. 408. 

Section 7. The legislature may alter the limits of circuits 
or increase the number of the same. No alteration or increase 
shall have the effect to remove a judge from office. In every 


( k ) As amended by joint resolution No. 1, public acts 1889; ratified April election, 1889. 



Art. VI. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


25 


additional circuit established the judge shall be elected by the 
electors of such circuit and his term of office shall continue, 
as provided in this constitution for judg.es of the circuit court. 

Royce v. Goodwin, 22 Mich. 496. 

(m) Section 8. The circuit court shall have original jurisdic- Jurisdiction, 
tion in all matters civil and criminal not excepted in this 
constitution and not prohibited by law, and appellate jurisdic¬ 
tion from all inferior courts and tribunals and a supervisory 
control of the same. They shall also have power to issue writs, 
writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, 
certiorari, and other writs necessary to carry into effect their 
orders, judgments and decrees, and give them general con¬ 
trol over inferior courts and tribunals within their respective 
jurisdictions, and in all such other cases and matters as the 
supreme court shall by rule prescribe. 

Strong- v. Daniels, 3 Mich. 466; Teller v. Wetherell, 6 Mich. 46; 

Raymond v. Hinkson, 15 Mich. 143; Inkster v. Carver, 16 Mich. 484; 

Merrill v. Butler, 18 Mich. 294; Dinnen v. Baxter, 18 Mich. 457; 

Thompson v. School District, 25 Mich. 483; Taylor v. Judge, 32 
Mich. 95; McBride v. C. C. of Grand Rapids, 32 Mich. 360; Heath v. 

Kent Circuit Judge, 37 Mich. 372; Allen v. Id., 37 Mich. 474; Eddy 
v. Township of Gee, 37 Mich. 128; People v. Hurst, 41 Mich. 328; 

Atkins v. Borstler, 46 Mich. 553; Milroy v. Spur Mt. I. M. Co., 48 
Mich. 231; People v. Mangold, 71 Mich. 335; People v. Dane, 79 
Mich. 361; Morton v. Railroad Company, 81 Mich. 437; Sullivan v. 

Haug, 82 Mich. 548. 

Section 9. Each of the -judges of the circuit courts shall salary of 

. . . judges. 

receive a salary, payable quarterly. They shall be ineligible 
to any other than a judicial office during the term for which 
they are elected and for one year thereafter. All votes for 
any person elected such judge for any office other than 
judicial, given either by the legislature or the people, shall be 
void. 

Section 10. The supreme court may appoint a reporter of Reporter, 
its decisions. The decisions of the supreme court shall be in Decisions, 
writing and signed by the judges concurring therein. Any 
judge dissenting therefrom shall give the reasons of such 
dissent in writing under his signature. All such opinions 
shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the supreme court. 

The iudges of the circuit court within their respective juris-May mi 
dictions may fill vacancies m the office of county clerk and vacancies. 

( m ) As amended by joint resolution No. 12, public acts 1893; ratified April election, 1893. 

4 



26 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. VI. 


Terms of 
court. 


Judges may 
hold court for 
each other. 


Clerk of cir¬ 
cuit courts. 


Courts of pro¬ 
bate. 


Jurisdiction. 


Vacancies, 
how filled. 


Courts of 
record. 


Circuit court 
commission¬ 
ers. 


of prosecuting attorney; but no judge of the supreme court 
or circuit court shall exercise any other power of appointment 
to public office. 

Matter of Head Notes, 43 Mich. 642. 

Section 11. A circuit court shall be held at least twice in 
each year in every county organized for judicial purposes, and 
four times in each year in counties containing ten thousand 
inhabitants. Judges of the circuit court may hold courts for 
each other, and shall do so when required by law. 

Royce v. Goodwin, 22 Mich. 496; Toll v. Jerome, 59 N. W. R. 816. 

(n) Section 12. The clerk of each county organized for 
judicial purposes shall be the clerk of the circuit court of such 
county. The supreme court shall have power to appoint a 
clerk for such supreme court. 

Section 13. In each of the counties organized for judicial 
purposes there shall be a court of probate. The judge of such 
court shall be elected by the electors of the county in which 
he resides, and shall hold his office for four years, and until 
his successor is elected and qualified. The jurisdiction, powers 
and duties of such court shall be prescribed by law. 

Royce v. Goodwin, 22 Mich. 496. 

Section 14. When a vacancy occurs in the office of judge of 
the supreme, circuit or probate court, it shall be filled by 
appointment of the governor, which shall continue until a 
successor is elected and qualified. When elected, such successor 
shall hold his office the residue of the unexpired term. 

People v. Ford, 9 Mich. 227; Kelley v. Edwards, 38 Mich. 210; 

Attorney General v. Burch, 84 Mich. 408; Adsit v. Osmun, 84 Mich. 

420; Attorney General v. Tromjoly, 89 Mich. 50. 

Section 15. The supreme court, the circuit and probate 
courts of each county shall be courts of record, and shall each 
have a common seal. 

Section 16. The legislature may provide by law for the 
election of one or more persons in each organized county, 
who may be vested with judicial powers not exceeding those 
of a judge of the circuit court at chambers. 

(n ) As amended by joint resolution No. 5, public acts 1881, p. 408; ratified April election, 
1881. 



Art. VI. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


27 


Chandler v. Nash, 5 Mich. 409; People v. Daniels, 6 Mich. 381 
Streeter v. Paton, 7 Mich. 341; Edgarton v. Hinchman, 7 Mich 
352; Waldby v. Callendar, 8 Mich. 430; Case v. Dean, 16 Mich. 12 
Boinay v. Coats, 17 Mich. 411; McClintock v. Eaing, 19 Mich. 300 
Rowe v. Rowe, 28 Mich. 353; Budding-ton’s case, 29 Mich., 472 
DeMyer v. McGonegal, 32 Mich. 120; Burger’s case, 39 Mich. 203 
Watson v. Randall, 44 Mich. 514. 

Section 17. There shall be not exceeding- four justices of 
the peace in each org-anized township. They shall be elected 
by the electors of the townships, and shall hold their offices for 
four years, and until their successors are elected and qualified. 
At the first election in any township they shall be classified 
as shall be prescribed by law. A justice elected to fill a 
vacancy shall hold his office for the residue of the unexpired 
term. The legislature may increase the number of justices 
in cities. 

Thompson School District, 25 Mich. 483; Brooks v. Hydorn, 76 
Mich. 273. 

Section 18. In civil cases, justices of the peace shall have 
exclusive jurisdiction to the amount of one hundred dollars, 
and concurrent jurisdiction to the amount of three hundred 
dollars, which may be increased to five hundred dollars, with 
such exceptions and restrictions as may be provided by law. 
They shall also have such criminal jurisdiction and perform 
such duties as shall be prescribed by the legislature. 

Root v. Mayor, 3 Mich. 433; Strong v- Daniels, 3 Mich. 466 
Gurney v. Mayor, 11 Mich. 202; Raymond v. Hinkson, 15 Mich. 113 
Inkster v. Carver, 16 Mich. 484; Merrill v. Butler, 18 Mich. 294 
Dinnen v. Baxter, 18 Mich. 457; Goodsell v. Eeonard, 23 Mich. 374 
Henderson v. Desborough, 28 Mich. 170; Allor v. Wayne County 
Auditors, 43 Mich. 100; Milroy v. Spur Mt. I. M. Co., 43 Mich. 231. 

Section 19. Judg-es of the supreme court, circuit judg-es and 
justices of the peace shall be conservators of the peace within 
their respective jurisdictions. 

Daniels v. People, 6 Mich. 381; Allor v. Wayne County Auditors, 
43 Mich. 100; Averill v. Perrott, 74 Mich. 296. 

Section 20. The first election of judg-es of the circuit courts 
shall be held on the first Monday in April, one thousand 
eig-ht hundred and fifty-one, and every sixth year thereafter. 
Whenever an additional circuit is created, provision shall be 
made to hold the subsequent election of such additional judg-e 
at the regular elections herein provided. 

Attorney General v. Burch, 84 Mich. 408. 


Justices of the 
peace, how 
elected. 


Classification 

of. 


Justices in 
cities. 


Civil juris¬ 
diction of 
justices. 


Criminal 

jurisdiction. 


Conservators 
of the peace. 


Election of 
circuit judges. 




28 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. VI. 


Election of 
judges of pro¬ 
bate. 


What deemed 
vacancy. 


Courts of con¬ 
ciliation. 


Suitors maj T 
appear by 
attorney or in 
person. 


Libels: truth 
may be given 
in evidence. 


Right of jury. 


Security of 
person and 
property from 
searches. 


Search war¬ 
rants. 


Section 21. The first election of judges of the probate courts 
shall be held on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of 
November, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, and 
every fourth year thereafter. 

People v. Palmer, 91 Mich. 283. 

Section 22. Whenever a judge shall remove beyond the 
limits of the jurisdiction for which he was elected, or a justice 
of the peace from the township in which he was elected, or by 
a change in the boundaries of such township, shall be placed 
without the same, they shall be deemed to have vacated their 
respective offices. 

Berry v. Geddes, 3 Mich. 70; Royce v. Goodwin, 22 Mich. 496; 
Faulks v. People, 39 Mich. 200. 

Section 23. The legislature may establish courts of concilia¬ 
tion with such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by 
law. 

Chandler v. Nash, 5 Mich. 409. 

Section 24. Any suitor in any court of this state shall have 
the right to prosecute or defend his suit, either in his own 
proper person, or by an attorney or agent of his choice. 

Cobb v. Judge of Superior Court, 43 Mich. 289. 

Section 25. In all prosecutions for libels the truth may be 
given in evidence to the jury; and if it shall appear to the 
jury that the matter charged as libelous is true and was 
published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the 
party shall be acquitted. The jury shall have the right to 
determine the law and the fact. 

Maclean v. Scripps, 52 Mich. 221; Park v. Free Press Co., 72 
Mich. 560; Thibault v. Sessions, 59 N. W. R. 624. 

Section 26. The person, houses, papers and possessions of 
every person shall be secure from unreasonable searches and 
seizures. No warrant to search any place or to seize any 
person or things shall issue without describing them, nor 
without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation. 

Brown v. Kelley, 20 Mich. 27; People v. Eynch, 29 Mich. 274; 
Weimer v. Bunbury, 30 Mich. 201; Hackett v. Judge, 36 Mich. 334; 
Allor v. Wayne Co. Auditors, 43 Mich. 76; DeEong v. Briggs, 47 
Mich. 624; People v. Moore, 62 Mich. 496; Robison v. Haug and 
Miner, 68 Mich. 549; Robison v. Haug, 71 Mich. 38 (saloon screens); 
Grand Rapids v. Powers, 89 Mich. 94; Burroughs v. Eastman, 59 
N. W. R. 817. 


Art. VI. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


29 


Section 27. The right of trial by jury shall remain, but Rigdit of trial 
shall be deemed to be waived in all civil cases unless demanded 3ur ''* 
by one of the parties in such manner as shall be prescribed 
by law. 

O’Flynn v. Holmes, 8 Mich. 95; People v. Smith, 9 Mich. 193; 

Tabor v. Cook, 15 Mich. 322; Hill v. People, 16 Mich. 351; Van 
Sickle v. Kellogg - , 19 Mich. 49; McGraw v. Sturgeon, 29 Mich. 426; 

Ward v. People, 30 Mich. 116; Paul v. Detroit, 32 Mich. 108; Odell 
v. Reynolds, 40 Mich. 21; Mabley v. Judge, etc., 41 Mich. 31; 

Swart v. Kimball, 43 Mich. 448; People v. Harding, 53 Mich. 48 
and 481; State Tax haw Cases, 54 Mich. 372; Pt. Huron & N. W. 

R. R. v. Callanan, 61 Mich. 14; Hewitt v. Circuit Judge, 71 Mich. 

287; People v. Peterson, 93 Mich. 27; McRae v. Railroad Co., 93 
Mich. 399. 

Section 28. In every criminal prosecution the accused shall Accused to 

. . .. . . have speedy 

have the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial trial. * 

jury, which may consist of less than twelve men in all courts 

not of record; to be informed of the nature of the accusation ; 

to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have 

compulsory process for obtaining- witnesses in his favor, and 

• • * 

have the assistance of counsel for his defense. 

Hibbard v. People, 4 Mich. 125; Parson v. Russell, 11 Mich. 113; 

Holt v. People, 13 Mich. 224; Hill v. People, 16 Mich. 351; Johnson 
v. Maxon, 23 Mich. 129; People v. Jones, 24 Mich. 215; Brown v. 

People, 29 Mich. 232; People v. Olmstead, 30 Mich. 431; Stevens v. 

People, 38 Mich. 739; People v. Sligh, 48 Mich. 55; Thomas Fow¬ 
ler’s case, 49 Mich. 235; People v. Murray, 52 Mich. 295; People v. 

Luby, 56 Mich. 551, People v. Barker, 60 Mich. 277; People v. 

Shufelt, 61 Mich. 237; People v. Moore, 62 Mich. 496; People v. 

Dow, 64 Mich. 717; People v. Murray, 89 Mich. 276; People v. 

Peterson, 93 Mich. 27; McRae v. Railroad Co., 93 Mich. 399; 

Slaughter v. People, 2. Doug. 334. 

Section 29. No person after acquittal upon the merits shall No trial after 

acquittal 

be tried for the same offense. All persons shall, before con- upon merits, 
viction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for murder 
and treason when the proof is evident or the presumption 
great. 

People v. Harding, 53 Mich. 484; Northville v. Westfall, 75 Mich. 

603; People v. Parrow, 80 Mich. 567. 

Section 30. Treason ag-ainst the state shall consist only in Treason, 
levying- war ag-ainst or in adhering- to its enemies, giving 
them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of Conviction of. 
treason unless upon the testimony of two witnesses to the 
same overt act, or on confession in open court. 


30 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. VI. 


Bail, fines and 
punishment. 


Testimony of 
person against 
himself. 


* 


* 


Imprisonment 
for debt. 


Militia fines. 


Competency 
of witnesses. 


Style of pro¬ 
cess. 


Section 31. Kxcessive bail shall not be required; excessive 
fines shall not be imposed; cruel or unusual punishment shall 
not be inflicted, nor shall witnesses be unreasonably detained. 

People v. Moore, 62 Mich. 496; Frazee’s case, 63 Mich. 396; 
Robison v. Haug - and Miner, 68 Mich. 549; Keeton v. Circuit Judg’e, 
69 Mich. 610; People v. Morris, 80 Mich. 634; People v. Smith, 94 
Mich. 644. 

Section 32. No person shall be compelled, in any criminal 
case, to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of 
life, liberty or property, without due process of law. 

Hibbard v. People, 4 Mich. 125; Brooks v. McIntyre, 4 Mich. 316; 
Sears v. Cottrell, 5 Mich. 251; Parsons v. Russell, 11 Mich. 113; 
Ames v. P. H. E. D. & B. Co., 11 Mich. 139; Groesbeck v. Seeley, 
13 Mich. 329; Kang - v. People, 14 Mich. 439; Case v. Dean, 16 
Mich. 12; Hart v. Henderson, 17 Mich. 218; People v. Salem, 20 
Mich. 452; Trombley v. Humphrey, 23 Mich. 471; People v. Eynch, 
29 Mich. 274; Power’s Appeal, 29 Mich. 510; Weimer v. Bunbury, 30 
Mich. 201; Quinn v. Heisel, 40 Mich. 576; Way’s case, 41 Mich. 299; 
Allor v. Wayne County Auditors, 43 Mich. 76; Detroit v. D. & 
H. P. R. Co., 43 Mich. 143; Frank Cannon’s case, 47 Mich. 482; 
People v. Moore, 62 Mich. 496; Hartford Ins. Co. v. Raymond, 70 
Mich. 485; Kuhn v. Common Council, 70 Mich. 534; Whitney v. 
Township Board, 71 Mich. 234; Spry Dumber Co. v. Trust Co., 77 
Mich. 199; People v. Bellet, 99 Mich. 151. 

Section 33. No person shall be imprisoned for debt arising 
out of, or founded on a contract express or implied, except 
in cases of fraud or breach of trust or of mone}^s collected 
by public officers or in any professional employment. No 
person shall be imprisoned for a militia fine in time of peace. 

Chappee v. Thomas, 5 Mich. 53; Bromley v. People, 7 Mich. 472; 
Fuller v. Bowker, 11 Mich. 204; People v. McAllister, 19 Mich. 215; 
Sheahan’s case, 25 Mich. 145; Steller v. Steller, 25 Mich. 159; 
Stephenson’s case, 32 Mich. 60; Tyson’s case, 32 Mich. 262. 

Section 34. No person shall be rendered incompetent to be 
a witness on account of his opinions on matters of religious 
belief. 


People v. Jenness, 5 Mich. 305. 

Section 35. The style of all process shall be, “In the 
name of the people of the State of Michigan.’’ 

Tweed v. Metcalf, 4 Mich. 579; .Wisner v. Davenport, 5 Mich. 
501; Forbes v. Darling - , 94 Mich. 621; Attorney General v. Jochim, 
99 Mich. 358. 


Art. VII. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


31 


ARTICLE VII. 

ELECTIONS. 

(o) Section 1. In all elections, every male inhabitant of Qualification 
this state, being- a citizen of the United States, every male 
inhabitant residing- in this state on the twenty-fourth day of 
June, eighteen hundred thirty-five, every male inhabitant 
residing- in the state on the first day of January, eig-hteen 
hundred fifty, every male inhabitant of foreig-n birth who, 
having- resided in the state two years and six months 
prior to the eighth day of November, eighteen hundred 
ninety-four, and having declared his intention to become a citi¬ 
zen of the United States two years and six months prior to said 
last named day, and every civilized male inhabitant of Indian 
descent, a native of the United States and not a member of 
any tribe, shall be an elector and entitled to vote; but no one 
shall be an elector or entitled to vote at any election unless 
he shall be above the age of twenty-one years, and has resided 
in this state six months and in the township or ward in which 
he offers to vote twenty days next preceding such election: 

Provided , That in time of war, insurrection or rebellion no Proviso, 
qualified elector in the actual military service of the United 
States, or of this state, or in the army or navy thereof, shall 
be deprived of his vote by reason of his absence from the 
township, ward or state in which he resides, and the legis¬ 
lature shall have the power, and shall provide the manner in 
which and the time and place at which such absent electors 
may vote, and for the canvass and return of their votes to 
the township or ward election district in which they respec¬ 
tively reside or otherwise. 

People v. Blodget, 13 Mich. 127; People v. Maynard, 15 Mich. 463; 

Hedgman v. Board of Registration, 26 Mich. 51; Allor v. Wayne 
County Auditors, 43 Mich. 102; Attorney General v. Detroit Com¬ 
mon Council, 58 Mich. 222; Common Council v. Rush, 82 Mich. 532; 

Coffin v. Election Commissioners, 97 Mich. 188. 

Section 2. All votes shall be given by ballot, except for v otes to be by 
such township officers as may be authorized by law to be ballot 
otherwise chosen. 

(o) As amended by joint resolution No. 20, public acts 1893; ratified November election, 

1894. 


cs 



32 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. VII. 


Privilege from 
arrest. 


From military 
duty. 


Residence of 
electors. 


People v. Cicott, 16 Mich. 283; People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 44; 
Common Council v. Rush, 82 Mich. 532. 

Section 3. Every elector, in all cases, except treason, felony 
or breach of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest during 
his attendance at election, and in going to and returning from 
the same. 

Section 4. No elector shall be obliged to do militia duty on 
the day of election, except in time of war or public danger, 
or attend court as a suitor or witness. 

(p) Section 5. No elector shall be deemed to have gained or 
lost a residence by reason of his being employed in the service 
of the United States or of this state; nor while engaged in the 
navigation of the waters of this state or of the United States; 
or of the high seas; nor while a student of any seminary of 
learning; nor while kept at any almshouse or other asylum at 
public expense; nor while confined in any public prison, 
except that honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines 
who have served in the military or naval forces of the United 
States or of this state, and who reside in soldiers’ homes 
established by the state, may acquire a residence where such 
home is located. 

Warren v. Board of Registration, 72 Mich. 401; Wolcott v. Hol¬ 
comb, 97 Mich. 361. 

Purity of eiec- Section 6. Laws may be passed to preserve the purity of 

tions. 

elections and guard against abuses of the elective franchise. 

People y. Kopplekom, 16 Mich. 342; Attorney General v. Detroit, 
78 Mich. 545; Common Council v. Rush, 82 Mich. 532; Attorney 
General v. May, 99 Mich. 538. 


Soldiers, sea¬ 
men and 
marines not 
residents. 


Disqualifi¬ 
cation for 
dueling. 


Section 7. No soldier, seaman nor marine, in the army or 
navy of the United States, shall be deemed a resident of this 
state in consequence of being stationed in any military or 
naval place within the same. 

Warren v. Board of Registration, 72 Mich. 401. 

Section 8. Any inhabitant who may hereafter be engaged 
in a duel, either as principal or accessory before the fact, shall 
be disqualified from holding any office under the constitution 
and laws of this state and shall not be permitted to vote at 
any election. 


( p ) As amended by joint resolution No. 21, public acts 1893; ratified November election, 
1894. 



Art. VIII. 


STATER OF MICHIGAN. 


33 


ARTICLE VIII. 

STATE OFFICERS. 

Section 1 . There shall be elected at each general biennial Elective state 

• officers. 

election a secretary of state, a superintendent of public 

instruction, a state treasurer, a commissioner of the land 

office, an auditor general, and an attorney general for the 

term of two years. They shall keep their offices at the seat where to keep 

of government and shall perform such duties as may be 161 ° ces ‘ 

prescribed by law. 

Ballou v. O’Brien, 20 Mich. 304. 

Section 2. Their term of office shall commence on the first Term of office, 
day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, 
and of every second year thereafter. 

Section 3. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in any of the vacancy, how 
state offices, the governor shall fill the same by appointment, by 
and with the advice and consent of the senate if in session. 

Section 4. The secretary of state, state treasurer, and com- Board of state 
missioner of the state land office shall constitute a board of audltors ' 
state auditors to examine and adjust all claims against the 
state, not otherwise provided for by general law. They 
shall constitute a board of state canvassers, to determine the To be state 

. canvassers. 

result of all elections for governor, lieutenant governor, and 
state officers, and of such other officers as shall by law be 
referred to them. 

People v. Cicott, 16 Mich. 283; Royce v. Goodwin, 22 Mich. 496; 

Dewey v. Board of Auditors, 32 Mich. 191; Auditor General v. 

Pullman P. C. Co., 34 Mich. 59; Ambler v. Auditor General, 38 
Mich. 746; Ayres v. State Auditors, 42 Mich. 422; Tocke v. Speed, 

62 Mich. 408; Auditor General v. Treasurer, 73 Mich. 31; Smith v. 

Auditor General, 80 Mich. 205. 

Section 5. In case two or more persons have an equal and in case of a 

tie, legisla- 

the highest number of votes for any office, as canvassed by the ture to make 
board of state canvassers, the legislature in joint convention, 
shall choose one of said persons to fill such office. When the 
determination of the board of state canvassers is contested, 
the legislature, in joint convention, shall decide which person 
is elected. 

People v. Cicott, 16 Mich. 301. 

5 


34 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. X. 


Salaries. 


Counties to be 
bodies cor¬ 
porate. 


Number of 
townships in 
county. 


When city 
maj r be made 
a count 3 r . 


ARTICLE IX. 

SALARIES. 

(q) Section 1 . The governor shall receive an annual salary 
of four thousand dollars; the judges of the circuit court shall 
each receive an annual salary of two thousand five hundred 
dollars; the state treasurer shall receive an annual salary of 
one thousand dollars; the superintendent of public instruction 
shall receive an annual salary of one thousand dollars; the 
secretary of state shall receive an annual salary of eight 
hundred dollars; the commissioner of the land office shall 
receive an annual salary of eight hundred dollars; the attorney 
general shall receive an annual salary of eight hundred dollars. 
They shall receive no fees or perquisites whatever for the 
performance of any duties connected with their office. It shall 
not be competent for the legislature to increase the salaries 
herein provided. 

Wyandotte v. Drennan, 46 Mich. 480. 

ARTICLE X. 

COUNTIES. 

Section 1 . Each organized county shall be a body corporate, 
with such powers and immunities as shall be established by 
law. All suits and proceedings by or against a county shall 
be in the name thereof. 

People v. Collins, 3 Mich. 415; People v. Carleton, 10 Mich. 250; 
Attorney General v. Supervisors, 11 Mich. 63; People v. Maynard, 
15 Mich. 463; Johr v. Supervisors, 38 Mich. 532; Attorney General 
v. Marr, 55 Mich. 446. 

Section 2. No organized county shall ever be reduced by the 
organization of new counties to less than sixteen townships 
as surveyed by the United States, unless in pursuance of law 
a majority of electors residing in each county to be affected 
thereby shall so decide. The legislature may organize any 
city into a separate county, when it has attained a population 
of twenty thousand inhabitants, without reference to geo¬ 
graphical extent, when a majority of the electors of a county 
in which such city may be situated, voting thereon, shall be 
in favor of a separate organization. 

(q) As amended by joint resolution No. 2, public acts 1889; ratified April election, 1889. 



Art. X. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


35 


Rice v. Ruddiman, 10 Mich. 125; Carleton v. People, 10 Mich. 250; 
Bay County v. Bullock, 51 Mich. 545. 


In each organized county there shall be a sheriff, county 


Section 3. 

a county clerk, a county treasurer, a register of deeds and a 
prosecuting attorney, chosen by the electors thereof, once in 
two years, and as often as vacancies shall happen, whose 
duties and powers shall be prescribed by law. The board of 
supervisors in any county may unite the offices of county clerk 
and register of deeds in one office, or disconnect the same. 

People v. May, 3 Mich. 598; People v. Maynard, 15 Mich. 463; 

Keeler v. Robertson, 27 Mich. 116. 

Section 4. The sheriff, county clerk, county treasurer, judge What offices 
of probate, and register of deeds shall hold their offices at at count3 seat ‘ 
the county seat. 

Rice v. Shay, 43 Mich. 380. 

Section 5. The sheriff shall hold no other office, and shall sheriff to hold 
be incapable of holding the office of sheriff longer than four in 
any period of six years. He may be required by law to renew to give 
his security from time to time, and in default of giving such securit3 ‘ 
security, his office shall be deemed vacant. The county shall county not 
never be responsible for his acts. 


responsible. 


Denphy v. People, 25 Mich. 10; People v. Gosch, 82 Mich. 22. 

Section 6 . A board of supervisors, consisting of one from Board of 
each organized township, shall be established in each county, super ' lsori ’- 
with such powers as shall be prescribed by law. 

Attorney General v. Preston, 56 Mich. 180; Bolt v. Riordan, 73 
Mich. 508. 

Section 7. Cities shall have such representation in the board cities to be 
of supervisors of the counties in which they are situated board? ented m 
as the legislature may direct. 

Attorney General v. Preston, 56 Mich. 181; Bolt v. Riordan, 73 
Mich. 508. 

Section 8. No county seat once established shall be removed county seats; 

. . . . , how removed. 

until the place to which it is proposed to be removed shall 
be designated by two-thirds of the board of supervisors of the 
county, and a majority of the electors voting thereon shall 
have voted in favor of the proposed location, in such manner 
as shall be prescribed by law. 


36 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. XI. 


Money for 
highways, 
public build¬ 
ings or 
bridges. 

Attorney General v. Supervisors, 11 Mich. 63; People v. County 
Officers, 15 Mich. 85; Attorney General v. Supervisors, 33 Mich. 
289; Pack v. Presque Isle, 36 Mich. 377; Rice v. Shay, 43 Mich. 
380; Bag-ot v. Antrim Supervisors, 43 Mich. 577; Attorney General 
v. County Canvassers Iron Co., 64 Mich. 607. 

Section 9. The board of supervisors of any county may 
borrow or raise by tax one thousand dollars for construct¬ 
ing- or repairing- public building’s, highways or bridges; but 
no greater sum shall be borrowed or raised by tax for such 
purpose in any one year, unless authorized by a majority of 
the electors of such county voting thereon. 

Attorney General v. Supervisors of Bay, 34 Mich. 46; Callam v. 
Saginaw, 50 Mich. 12; Fulton Iron Works v. Kimbal, 52 Mich. 150; 
Attorney General v. Board of Auditors, 73 Mich. 53; Davies v. 
Supervisors, 89 Mich. 295; Boyce v. Auditor General, 90 Mich. 317. 

Claims 
against coun¬ 
ties. 

Section 10. The board of supervisors, or in the county of 
Wayne, the board of county auditors, shall have the exclusive 
power to prescribe and fix the compensation for all services 
rendered for, and to adjust all claims against, their respective 
counties, and the sum so fixed or defined shall be subject to 
no appeal. 

. People v. Sup. Macomb, 3 Mich. 475; People v. Auditors of Wajne 

County, 10 Mich. 307; People v. Wright, 19 Mich. 351; Kennedy v. 
Gies, 25 Mich. 83; Mixer v. Sup. Manistee, 26 Mich. 422; Videto v. 
Sup. Jackson Co., 31 Mich. 116; Barry Co. v. Manistee Co., 33 Mich. 
497; Clark v. Sup. Ingham, 38 Mich. 658; McMahon v. Aud. Wayne 
Co., 41 Mich. 223; Fndriss v. Chippewa, 43 Mich. 317; Whallon v. 
Ingham Circuit Judg-e, 51 Mich. 508; Cicotte v. County of Wayne, 
59 Mich. 509; Attorney General v. Board of Auditors, 73 Mich. 53; 
People v. Hanifan, 99 Mich. 516. 

Laying out 
highways. 

Section 11. The board of supervisors of each organized 
county may provide for laying out highways, constructing 
bridges, and organizing townships, under such restrictions and 
limitations as shall be prescribed by law. 

People v. Kimball, 4 Mich. 95; People v. Hig’hway Commissioners 
of Nankin, 15 Mich. 347; Attorney General v. Bay Co., 34 Mich. 46; 
Pearsall v. Supervisors, 71 Mich. 444; Davies v. Supervisors, 89 
Mich. 295. 

Township 

officers. 

ARTICLE XI. 

TOWNSHIPS. 

Section 1 . There shall be elected annually, on the first 
Monday of April, in each organized township, one supervisor, 


Art. XII. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


37 


one township clerk, who shall be ex officio school inspector, 
one commissioner of highways, one township treasurer, one 
school inspector, not exceeding- four constables, and one over¬ 
seer of hig-hways for each hig-hway district, whose powers and 
duties shall be prescribed by law. 

People v. Maynard, 15 Mich. 463; People v. Ryan, 19 Mich. 

203; Hubbard v. Spring-wells, 25 Mich. 156; Allor v. Wayne Co. 

Auditors, 43 Mich. 102; Attorney General v. Preston, 56 Mich. 178; 

Donough y. Dewey, 82 Mich. 309; Davies v. Supervisors, 89 Mich. 

295; Ping-ree v. Board of Education, 99 Mich. 404. 

Section 2. Each org-anized township shall be a body COr- Townships to 

. . . ... . be bodies cor¬ 

porate, with such powers and immunities as shall be prescribed porate. 

by law. All suits and proceeding's by or ag-ainst a township 

shall be in the name thereof. 

People v. Collins, 3 Mich. 415; People v. Maynard, 15 Mich. 463; 

People v. Ryan, 19 Mich. 203; Scrafford v. Sup. Gladwin, 41 Mich. 

647. 


ARTICLE XII. 


IMPEACHMENTS AND REMOVALS FROM OFFICE. 

Section 1 . The house of representatives shall have the impeach- 

. . . . ments. 

sole power of impeaching- civil officers for corrupt conduct m 
office, or for crimes or misdemeanors; but a majority of the 
members elected shall be necessary to direct an impeachment. 

Attorney General v. Jochim, 99 Mich. 358. 

Section 2. Every impeachment shall be tried by the senate, how tried. 
When the g-overnor or lieutenant governor is tried, the chief 
justice of the supreme court shall preside. When an impeach¬ 
ment is directed, the senate shall take an oath or affirmation 
truly and impartially to try and determine the same according 
to the evidence. No person shall be convicted without the conviction 

and judg-ment 

concurrence of two-thirds of the members elected. Judgment 
in case of impeachment shall not extend further than removal 
from office, but the party convicted shall be liable to punish¬ 
ment according to law. 

Section 3. When an impeachment is directed the house of who to prose- 

. cute. 

representatives shall elect from their own body three members, 
whose duty it shall be to prosecute such impeachment. No when to be 
impeachment shall be tried until the final adjournment of the 
legislature, when the senate shall proceed to try the same. 


38 


CONSTITUTION OF THF 


Art. XII. 


In case of judi¬ 
cial officer. 


Vacancy by 
suspension, 
how filled. 


Removal of 
judgre. 


Removal of 
certain offi¬ 
cers. 


Removal of 
state officers, 


Section 4. No judicial officer shall exercise his office after 
an impeachment is directed until he is acquitted. 

Pingree v. Board of Education, 99 Mich. 404. 

Section 5. The governor may make a provisional appoint¬ 
ment to fill a vacancy occasioned by the suspension of an officer, 
until he shall be acquitted or until after the election and 
qualification of a successor. 

Pingree v. Board of Education, 99 Mich. 404. 

Section 6 . For reasonable cause, which shall not be suffi¬ 
cient ground for the impeachment of a judge, the governor shall 
remove him on a concurrent resolution of two-thirds of the 
members elected to each house of the legislature; but the cause 
for which such removal is required shall be stated at length 
in such resolution. 

Section 7. The legislature shall provide by law for the 
removal of any officer elected by a county, township or school 
district, in such manner and for such cause as to them shall 
seem just and proper. 

People v. Eord, 9 Mich. 227; Clay v. Stuart, 74 Mich. 411. 

(r) Section 8. The governor shall have power and it shall 
be his duty, except at such time as the legislature may be in 
session, to examine into the condition and administration of 
any public office and the acts of any public officer elective or 
appointed, to remove from office for gross neglect of duty or 
for corrupt conduct in office or any other misfeasance or 
malfeasance therein, either of the following state officers, to 
wit: the attorney general, state treasurer, commissioner of the 
land office, secretary of state, auditor general, superintendent 
public instruction or members of the state board of educa¬ 
tion, or any other officers of the state except legislature and 
judicial, elective or appointed, and to appoint a successor for 
the remainder of their respective unexpired term of office, and 
report the causes of such removal to the legislature at its 
next session. 

Dullam v. Wilson, 53 Mich. 393; Fuller v. Attorney General, 98 
Mich. 96; Attorney General v. Jochim, 99 Mich. 358. 

(r) As amended by joint resolution No. IS, laws of 1861, p. 588; ratified election of 1862. 



Art. XIII. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


39 


ARTICLE XIII. 

EDUCATION. 

Section 1. The superintendent of public instruction shall Education, 
have the general supervision of public instruction, and his 
duties shall be prescribed by law. 

Section 2. The proceeds from the sales of all lands that School fund, 
have been or hereafter may be granted by the United States 
to the state for educational purposes, and the proceeds of all 
lands or other property given by individuals or appropriated 
by the state for like purposes, shall be and remain a perpetual 
fund, the interest and income of which, together with the 
rents of all such lands as may remain unsold, shall be inviola¬ 
bly appropriated and annually applied to the specific objects 
of the original gift, grant or appropriation. 

People v. Auditor General, 12 Mich. 171; Jones v. Commissioner, 

21 Mich. 236; Crane v. Reeder, 22 Mich. 322. 

Section 3. All lands, the titles to which shall fail from a Escheats, 
defect of heirs, shall escheat to the state; and the interest on 
the clear proceeds from the sales thereof shall be appropriated 
exclusively to the support of primary schools. 

Crane v. Reeder, 22 Mich. 322. 

Section 4. The legislature shall, within five years from Free schools, 
the adoption of this constitution, provide for and establish a 
system of primary schools, whereby a school shall be kept 
without charge for tuition at least three months in each 
year in every school district in the state, and all instruction instruction to 
in said school shall be conducted in the English language. ?anguagf. hsh 

Perrizo v. Kesler, 93 Mich. 280; Keweenaw Association v. School 
District, 98 Mich. 437. 

Section 5. A school shall be maintained in each school Time school 
district at least three months in each year. Any school tained. 

district neglecting to maintain such school shall be deprived, 
for the ensuing year, of its proportion of the income of the 
primary school fund and of all funds arising from taxes for 
the support of schools. 

(s) Section 6 . There shall be elected in the year eighteen Election of 

. , . . regents of 

hundred and sixty-three, at the time of the election of a university. 

(s)As amended by joint resolution No. 17, laws of 1861, p. 589; ratified election of 1862. 



40 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. XIII. 


Board of 
regents. 


To be a body 
corporate. 


Name. 


President of 
university. 


Supervision 

university. 


Board of 
education. 


Superintend¬ 
ent of public 
instruction to 
be member. 


justice of the supreme court, eight regents of the university, 
two of whom shall hold their office for two years, two for 
four years, two for six years, and two for eight years. They 
shall enter upon the duties of their office on the first of 
January next succeeding their election. At every regular 
election of a justice of the supreme court thereafter there 
shall be elected two regents whose term of office shall be 
eight years. When a vacancy shall occur in the office of 
regent, it shall be filled by appointment of the governor. 
The regents thus elected shall constitute the boards of regents 
of the university of Michigan. 

Section 7. The regents of the university and their suc¬ 
cessors in office shall continue to constitute the body corporate, 
known by the name and title of “The Regents of the 
University of Michigan.” 

Regents v. Board of Education, 4 Mich. 213; Regents v. Detroit 
Y. M. Society, 12 Mich. 138. 

Section 8. The regents of the university shall, at their 
first annual meeting, or as soon thereafter as may be, elect 
a president of the university, who shall be ex officio a mem¬ 
ber of their board, with the privilege of speaking, but not of 
voting. He shall preside at the meetings of the regents and 
be the principal executive officer of the university. The board 
of regents shall have the general supervision of the university, 
and the direction and control of all expenditures from the 
university interest fund. 

People v. Regents, 4 Mich. 98; People v. Auditor General, 17 
Mich. 161; People v. Regents, 18 Mich. 469; People v. Regents, 30 
Mich. 473; University v. Rose, 45 Mich. 284. 

Section 9. There shall be elected at the general election 
in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two three 
members of a state board of education: one for two years, 
one for four years, and one for six years; and at each 
succeeding biennial election there shall be elected one mem¬ 
ber of such board, who shall hold his office for six years. 
The superintendent of public instruction shall be ex officio a 
member and secretary of such board. The board shall have 
the general supervision of the state normal school, and their 
duties shall be prescribed by law. 


Art. XIV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


41 


Section 10. Institutions for the benefit of those inhabitants 
who are deaf, dumb, blind or insane shall always be fostered 
and supported. 

Van Dusan v. Newcomer, 40 Mich. 90. 

Section 11. The legislature shall encourage the promotion 
of intellectual, scientific and agricultural improvement; and 
shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment of 
an agricultural school. The legislature may appropriate the 
twenty-two sections of salt spring lands now unappropriated, 
or the money arising from the sale of the same, where such 
lands have been already sold, and any land which may here¬ 
after be granted or appropriated for such purpose, for the 
support and maintenance of such school, and may make the 
same a branch of the university, for instruction in agriculture 
and the natural sciences connected therewith, and place the 
same under the supervision of the regents of the university. 

(t) Section 12. The legislature shall also provide for the 
establishment of at least one library in each township and 
city, and all fines assessed and collected in the several counties 
and townships for any breach of the penal laws shall be 
exclusively applied to the support of such libraries, unless 
otherwise ordered by the township board of any township or 
the board of education of any city: Provided, That in no 
case shall such fines be used for other than library or school 
purposes. ‘ 

People v. Jackson, 8 Mich. 110; People v. Treasurer Wayne Co., 
8 Mich. 392; Attorney General v. St. Clair, 11 Mich. 63; Wayne Co. 
v. Detroit, 17 Mich. 390; People v. Controller of Detroit, 18 Mich. 
445; Mixer v. Sup. of Manistee, 26 Mich. 422; Youngblood v. Sexton, 
32 Mich. 406; Fennell v. C. C. Bay City, 36 Mich. 186; Belles v. 
Burr, 76 Mich. 1. 


ARTICLE XIV. 

FINANCE AND TAXATION. 

Section 1. All specific state taxes, except those received 
from the mining companies of the upper peninsula, shall be 
applied in paying the interest upon the primary school, 
university and other educational funds, and the interest and 
principal of the state debt, in the order herein recited, until 

(t) As amended by joint resolution No. 25, public acts 1879, p. 312; ratified April 
election, 1881. 

6 


Asylums. 


Agricultural 

school. 


Appropriation 
of land for. 


May be made 
branch of 
university. 


Town 

libraries. 


Specific taxes. 




42 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. XIV. 


Tax for state 
expenses. 


Sinking fund. 


State may 

contract 

debts. 


To repel 
invasions. 


Money, how 
paid out. 


State credit. 


the extinguishment of the state debt, other than the amounts 
due to educational funds, when such specific taxes shall be 
added to, and constitute a part of the primary school interest 
fund. The legislature shall provide for an annual tax, 
sufficient with other resources, to pay the estimated expenses 
of the state government, the interest of the state debt, and 
such deficiency as may occur in the resources. 

Walcott v. People, 17 Mich. 68; People v. Salem, 20 Mich. 452; 
Young-blood v. Sexton, 32 Mich. 406; Aud. Gen. v. State Treasurer, 
45 Mich. 161; Take Superior Ship Canal, etc., v. Aud. Gen., 79 Mich. 
351; Eongyear v. Buck, 83 Mich. 236; Chambe v. Durfee, 100 Mich. 
112 . 

Section 2. The legislature shall provide by law a sinking 
fund of at least twenty thousand dollars a year to commence 
in eighteen hundred and fifty-two, with compound interest at 
the rate of six per cent per annum, and an annual increase of 
at least five per cent, to be applied solely to the payment 
and extinguishment of the principal of the state debt, other 
than the amounts due to educational funds, and shall be 
continued until the extinguishment thereof. The unfunded 
debt shall not be funded or redeemed at a value exceeding 
that established by law in one thousand eight hundred and 
forty-eight. 

Aud. Gen. v. State Treas., 45 Mich. 161. 

Section 3. The state may contract debts to meet deficits 
in revenue. Such debts shall not in the aggregate at any 
one time exceed fifty thousand dollars. The moneys so raised 
shall be applied to the purposes for which they were obtained, 
or to the payment of the debts so contracted. 

Section 4. The state may contract debts to repel invasion, 
suppress insurrection, or defend the state in time of war. 
The money arising from the contracting of such debts shall 
be applied to the purposes for which it was raised, or to repay 
such debts. 

Section 5. No money shall be paid out of the treasury 
except in pursuance of appropriations made by law. 

Section 6. The credit of the state shall not be granted 
to, or in aid of, any person, association or corporation. 

People v. Salem, 20 Mich. 452; Bay City v. State Treasurer, 23 
Mich. 499; Thomas v. Port Huron, 27 Mich. 320. 


Art. XIV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


43 


Section 7. No scrip, certificate, or other evidence of state issue of scrip, 
indebtedness shall be issued, except for the redemption of 
stock previously issued, or for such debts as are expressly 
authorized in this constitution. 

Section 8. The state shall not subscribe to, or be inter- state not to 

, j . ., . i - . . . own stock. 

ested in, the stock ot any company, association or corporation. 

People v. Salem, 20 Mich. 452; Bay City v. State Treasurer, 23 
Mich. 499. 

(u) Section 9. The state shall not be a party to, or inter- works of 
ested in, any work of internal improvement, nor eng-ag-ed in improvement, 
carrying- on any such work, except in the expenditure of 
grants to the state of land or other property: Provided , 
however , That the legislature of the state, by appropriate 
legislation, may authorize the city of Grand Rapids to issue 
its bonds for the improvement of the navig-ation of Grand 
river. 

Ryerson v. Utley, 16 Mich. 269; People v. Salem, 20 Mich. 452: 

Bay City v. Treasurer, 23 Mich. 499; Hubbard v. Spring-wells, 25 
Mich. 153; Thomas v. Port Huron, 27 Mich. 320; Attorney General 
v. E. S. S. C. Co., 32 Mich. 233; Benjamin v. Manistee R. I. Co., 42 
Mich. 628; Rogers v. Port Huron & G. M. R. R., 45 Mich. 463; 

Manistee River Imp. Co. v. Sands, 53 Mich. 594; Anderson v. Hill, 

54 Mich. 487; Sparrow v. Comr. Gand Office, 56 Mich. 571; Wilcox 
v. Paddock, 65 Mich. 23; Sanilac County v. Auditor General, 68 
Mich. 659; Gillett v. McGaughlin, 69 Mich. 547. 

Section 10. The state may continue to collect all specific To collect 

specific tax. 

taxes accruing- to the treasury under existing- laws. The 
legislature may provide for the collection of specific taxes 
from banking-, railroad, plank road and other corporations 
hereafter created. 

Walcott v. People, 17 Mich. 68; Kitson v. Mayor Ann Arbor, 26 
Mich. 325; Youngblood v. Sexton, 32 Mich. 406; Jackson Mining Co. 
v. Aud. General, 32 Mich. 488; First National Bank v. St. Joseph, 

46 Mich. 530. 

Section 11. The legislature shall provide an uniform rule uniform rate 

of taxation. 

of taxation, except on property paying- specific taxes, and 
taxes shall be levied on such property as shall be prescribed 
by law. 

Williams v. Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; People v. Aud. Gen’l, 7 Mich. 

84; Woodbridge v. Detroit, 8 Mich. 275; Walcott v. People, 17 Mich. 

68; Motz v. Detroit, 18 Mich. 495; Hoyt v. East Saginaw, 19 Mich. 

39; Kitson v. Mayor Ann Arbor, 26 Mich. 325; Powers’ Appeal, 29 


(u) As amended by joint resolution No. 9, public acts 1893; ratified April election, 1893. 




44 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. XV. 


Assessments. 


Equalization. 


Laws impos¬ 
ing taxes. 


How corpora¬ 
tions formed. 


Legislature 
may create 
single bank. 


Mich. 504; Warren v. Grand Haven, 30 Mich. 24; Youngblood v. 
Sexton, 32 Mich. 406; Jones v. Commissioners, 34 Mich. 273; Thomas 
v. Gain, 35 Mich. 155; Albany and B. Mining - Co. v. Aud. Gen’l, 37 
Mich. 391; Reithmiller v. People, 44 Mich. 280; Sheley v. Detroit, 45 
Mich. 431; Van Horn v. People, 46 Mich. 183; Chaffee’s Appeal, 56 
Mich. 253; Farg-o v. Auditor General, 57 Mich. 606; Wilcox v. Pad- 
dock, 65 Mich. 23; Supervisors of Chippewa Co. v. Aud. Gen’l, 65 
Mich. 408; City of Detroit v. Daly, 68 Mich. 503; Davenport v. Aud. 
Gen’l, 70 Mich. 192; Attorney Gen’l v. Supervisors, 71 Mich. 16; 
Wilcox v. Eagle, 81 Mich. 271; Common Council v. Assessors, 91 
Mich. 78; Manistee Dumber Co. v. Township, 92 Mich. 277; Stand¬ 
ard Eife and Accident Ins. Co. v. Assessors, 95 Mich. 466. 

Section 12. All assessments hereafter authorized shall be 
on property at its cash value. 

Williams v. Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; Woodbridg-e v. Detroit, 8 Mich. 
274; Walcott v. People, 17 Mich. 68; Motz v. Detroit, 18 Mich. 495; 
Hoyt v. E. Saginaw, 19 Mich. 39; Kitson v. Mayor Ann Arbor, 26 
Mich. 325; Powers’ Appeal, 29 Mich. 504; Warren v. Gd. Haven, 30 
Mich. 24; Jones v. Commissioners, 34 Mich. 273; Thomas v. Gain, 
35 Mich. 155; A. & B. Mining Co. v. Aud. Gen’l, 37 Mich. 391; Avery 
& Eddy v. East Saginaw, 44 Mich. 587; Sheley v. Detroit, 45 Mich. 
431; Attorney General v. Supervisors (Taxation of Mortgages), 71 
Mich. 16; Common Council v. Assessors, 91 Mich. 78; Standard Eife 
and Accident Ins. Co. v. Assessors, 95 Mich. 466. 

Section 13. The legislature shall provide for an equaliza¬ 
tion by a state board in the year one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-one, and every fifth year thereafter, of assessments 
on all taxable property except that paying specific taxes. 

Section 14. Ever} r law which imposes, continues or revives 
a tax shall distinctly state the tax, and the object to which 
it is to be applied; and it shall not be sufficient to refer to 
any other law to fix such tax or object. 

People v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 481; Walcott v. People, 17 Mich. 68; 
Westinghausen v. People, 44 Mich. 265; Trowbridge v. Detroit, 99 
Mich. 443; Chambe v. Durfee, 100 Mich. 112. 

ARTICLE XV. 

CORPORATIONS. 

(v) Section 1 . Corporations may be formed under general 
laws but shall not be created by special act except for 
municipal purposes. All laws passed pursuant to this section 
may be amended, altered or repealed. But the legislature 
may, by a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each 
house, create a single bank with branches. 

(v) As amended by joint resolution No. 17, laws of 1861, p.589; ratified election 1862. 



Art. XV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


45 


People v. J. & M. P. R. Co., 9 Mich. 285; Joy v. J. & M. P. R. Co/, 

11 Mich. 155; East Saginaw Manufacturing- Co. v. East Saginaw, 

19 Mich. 294; G. R. N. & G. S. R. R. Co. v. G. R. & I. R. R. Co., 35 
Mich. 269; Nelson v. McArthur, 38 Mich. 204; Doyle v. Misner, 42 
Mich. 332; Mok v. Detroit B. & S. Association, 30 Mich. 511; Detroit 
St. R. v. Guthard, 51 Mich. 180; Mason v. Perkins, 73 Mich. 303; 

Isle Royal, etc., Cor. v. Osmun, 76 Mich. 162; Kent Co. Ag\ So. v. 

Houseman, 81 Mich. 609; Bissell v. Heath, 98 Mich. 472; Stimson v. 

Muskeg-on Booming- Co., 100 Mich. 347. 

O) Section 2. No general banking- law shall have effect Banking-law 
until the same shall, after its passage, be submitted to a vote tobe ' otedon - 
of the electors of the state at a general election and be 
approved by a majority of the votes cast thereon at such 
election. 

Bissell v. Heath, 98 Mich. 472. 

(*) Section 3. The officers and stockholders of every Liability of 
corporation or association for banking purposes, issuing bank stockholders * 
notes or paper credits to circulate as money, shall be indi¬ 
vidually liable for all debts contracted, during the term of 
their being officers or stockholders of such corporation or 
association, equally and ratably to the extent of their respective 
shares of stock in any such corporation or association. 

(y) Section 4. For all banks organized under general Reg-istryof 

° bills or notes. 

laws, the legislature shall provide for the registry of all bills 
or notes issued or put in circulation as money, and shall 
require security to the full amount of notes and bills so security 

. . required. 

registered, m state or United States stocks bearing interest, 
which shall be deposited with the state treasurer for the 
redemption of such bills or notes in specie. 

Section 5. In case of the insolvency of any bank or Biii-hoiders 
banking association, the bill-holders thereof shall be entitled preference, 
to preference in payment over all other creditors of such 
bank or association. 

Section 6. The legislature shall pass no law authorizing Suspension of 
or sanctioning the suspension of specie payments by any me£ts. pay 
person, association or corporation. 

Section 7. The stockholders of all corporations and joint Liability, 
stock associations shall be individually liable for all labor 
performed for such corporation or association. 


(w) As amended by joint resolution No. 17, laws of 1861, p. 589; ratified election 1862. 

(x) As amended by joint resolution No. 11, laws of 1859, p. 1100; ratified election 1860. 

(y) As amended by joint resolution No. 17, laws of 1861, p. 589; ratified election 1862. 



46 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. XV. 


. Hanson v. Donkersley, 37 Mich. 184; Brockway v. Innes, 39 Mich. 

47; Peck v. Miller, 39 Mich. 594; Arno v. Wayne Judge, 42 Mich. 
362; Milroy v. Spurr I. T. Co., 43 Mich. 231; Taylor v. Manwaring, 
48 Mich. 171; Connors v. Carp River Iron Co., 54 Mich. 171. 

Amending - Section 8. The legislature shall pass no law altering or 
poraUon ncor amending any act of incorporation heretofore granted, without 
the assent of two-thirds of the members elected to each house; 
nor shall any such act be renewed or extended. This restric¬ 
tion shall not apply to municipal corporations. 

Joy v. J. & M. P. R. Co., 11 Mich. 155; Attorney General v. Joy, 
55 Mich. 94; Wilder v. Chicago & W. M. R. R., 70 Mich. 382; Mason 
v. Perkins, 73 Mich. 320; Village of Highland Park v. Detroit and 
Birmingham Plank Road Co., 95 Mich. 489. 

Property, how Section 9. The property of no person shall be taken by 
any corporation for public use, without compensation being 
first made or secured, in such manner as may be prescribed 
by law. 

Woodbridge v. Detroit, 8 Mich. 274; G. R. Booming Co. v. Jarvis, 
30 Mich. 308; Vanderlip v. Grand Rapids, 73 Mich. 532; Truax v. 
Sterling, 74 Mich. 160; Board of Health v. Van Hoesen, 87 Mich. 
533; Grand Rapids v. Powers, 89 Mich. 94; Fuller v. City of Detroit, 
97 Mich. 597; People v. Eaton, 100 Mich. 208. 

Terms of (*) Section 10. No corporation except for municipal pur- 

corporations. p 0ges Qr f Qr cons truction of railroads, plank roads and 

canals, shall be created for a longer time than thirty years; 
but the legislature may provide by general laws, applicable to 
any corporations, for one or more extensions of the term of 
such corporations while such term is running, not exceeding 
thirty years for each extension, on the consent of not less 
than a two-thirds majority of the capital of the corporation; 
and by like general laws for the corporate reorganization for 
a further period, not exceeding thirty years, of such corpora¬ 
tions whose terms have expired by limitation, on the consent 
of not less than four-fifths of the capital: Provided, That in 
cases of corporations where there is no capital stock, the 
legislature may provide the manner in which such corporations 
may be reorganized. 

Mok v. Detroit B. & S. Association, 30 Mich. 511; Mason v. 
Perkins, 73 Mich. 303; Kent Co. Ag. So. v. Houseman, 81 Mich. 609; 
Ovid Elevator Co. v. Secretary of State, 90 Mich. 466; Canal Street 
Gravel Road Co. v. Paas, 95 Mich. 373. 


(z) As amended by joint resolution No. 3, public acts 1889; ratified April election, 1889. 



Art. XV. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


47 


Section 11. The term “corporations,” as used in the pre¬ 
ceding- sections of this article, shall be construed to include 
all associations and joint stock companies having- any of the 
powers or privileg-es of corporations, not possessed by indi¬ 
viduals or partnerships. All corporations shall have the 
rig-ht to sue and be subject to be sued in all courts in like 
cases as natural persons. 

Root v. Mayor, 3 Mich. 433; People v. J. & M. P. R. Co., 9 Mich. 
285; Joy v. J. & M. P. R. Co., 11 Mich. 155; Gurney v. Mayor, 11 
Mich. 202; Seneca Mining - Co. v. Sec. State, 82 Mich. 573. 

Section 12. No corporation shall hold any real estate, 
hereafter acquired, for a long-er period than ten years, except 
such real estate as shall be actually occupied by such corpora¬ 
tion in the exercise of its franchises. 

Section 13. The legislature shall provide for the incor¬ 
poration and organization of cities and villages, and shall 
restrict their powers of taxation, borrowing money, contract¬ 
ing debts, and loaning their credit. 

Smith v. Adrian, 1 Mich. 495; People v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 481; 
Detroit v. Blackeby, 21 Mich. 84; People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 44; 
Att’y General v. Eothrop, 24 Mich. 235; Park Com’rs v. Detroit, 28 
Mich. 228; Att’y General v. Detroit, 29 Mich. 108; Shumway v. 
Bennett, 29 Mich. 451; Wattles v. Eapeer, 40 Mich. 624; Coon v. 
Att’y General, 42 Mich. 65; Allor v..Wayne Co. Auditors, 43 Mich. 
102; Torrent v. Muskegon, 47 Mich. 115; Pingree v. Board of 
Education, 99 Mich. 404. 

Section 14. Judicial officers of cities and villages shall be 
elected and all other officers shall be elected or appointed at 
such time and in such manner as the legislature may direct. 

People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 44; Attorney General v. Eothrop, 24 
Mich. 235; Hubbard v. Springwells, 25 Mich. 153; Coon v. Attorney 
General, 42 Mich. 65; People v. Reilly, 53 Mich. 260; Coffin v. 
Election Commissioners, 97 Mich. 188. 

Section 15. Private property shall not be taken for public 
improvements in cities and villages without the consent of 
the owner, unless the compensation therefor shall first be 
determined by a jury of freeholders and actually paid or 
secured in the manner provided by law. 

Williams v. Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; Woodbridge v. Detroit, 8 Mich. 
274; Campau v. Detroit, 14 Mich. 276; People v. Brighton, 20 Mich. 
57; Trombley v. Auditor General, 23 Mich. 471; Mansfield, C. & E. 
M. R. R. Co. v. Clark, 23 Mich. 524; Chicago & M. E. S. R. R. Co. v. 
Sanford, 23 Mich. 418; Horton v. Grand Haven, 24 Mich. 465; 


Construction 
of term cor¬ 
poration. 


Rig-ht to sue 
and be sued. 


Limitation of 
time for hold¬ 
ing-real estate. 


Cities and 
villag-es. 


Election of 
judicial 
officers of. 


Private prop 
erty, how 
taken. 


48 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. XVI. 


Notice for 
charter. 


Of personal 
property. 


Of homestead. 


Sheldon v. Kalamazoo, 24 Mich. 383; Arnold v. Decatur, 29 Mich. 
77; Powers’ Appeal, 29 Mich. 504; G. R. B. Co. v. Jarvis, 30 Mich. 
308; Kroop v. Forman, 31 Mich. 144; Paul v. Detroit, 32 Mich. 108; 
Thomas v. Gain, 35 Mich. 155; Ryerson v. Brown, 35 Mich. 333; 
G. R. N. & E. S. R. R. Co. v. G. R. & I. R. R. Co., 35 Mich. 265; 
Ayres v. Richards, 41 Mich. 680; Chaffee’s Appeal, 56 Mich. 255; 
City of Detroit v. Daly, 68 Mich. 503; In re Willis ave., 68 Mich. 
635; See Art. 18, Sec. 2, Detroit v. Beecher, 75 Mich. 454; Fuller v. 
City of Detroit, 97 Mich. 597. 

Section 16. Previous notice of an} 7 application for an 
alteration of the charter of any corporation shall be given in 
such manner as may be prescribed by law. 

People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 44. 


ARTICLE XVI. 

EXEMPTIONS. 

Section 1 . The personal property of every resident of this 
state, to consist of such property only as shall be designated 
by law, shall be exempted to the amount of not less than 
five hundred dollars from sale on execution or other final 
process of any court, issued for the collection of any debt 
contracted after the adoption of this constitution. 

Wilson v. Bartholomew, 45 Mich. 43; McHugh v. Curtis, 48 Mich. 

262. 

Section 2. Every homestead of not exceeding- forty acres 
of land, and the dwelling- house thereon, and the appurtenances 
to be selected by the owner thereof, and not included in any 
town plat, city or villag-e; or instead thereof, at the option 
of the owner, any lot in any city, villag-e, or recorded town 
plat, or such parts of lots as shall be equal thereto, and the 
dwelling- house thereon, and its appurtenances, owned and 
occupied by any resident of the state, not exceeding- in value 
fifteen hundred dollars, shall be exempt from forced sale on 
execution, or any other final process from a court, for any 
debt contracted after the adoption of this constitution. Such 
exemption shall not extend to any mortgage thereon, lawfully 
obtained; but such mortgage or other alienation of such land 
by the owner thereof, if a married man, shall not be valid 
without the signature of the wife to the same. 


Art. XVI. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


49 


People v. Plumstead, 2 Mich. 465; Wisner v. Farnham, 2 Mich. 

472; Chamberlain v. Eyell, 3 Mich. 448; Herschfeldt v. Georg-e, 6 
Mich. 456; Beecher v. Baldy, 7 Mich. 488; Thomas v. Dodg-e, 8 Mich. 

51; D} T e v. Mann, 10 Mich. 291; McKee v. Wilcox, 11 Mich. 358; 

Dyson v. Sheley, 11 Mich. 527; Ring- v. Burt, 17 Mich. 465; Coolidg-e 
v. Wells, 20 Mich. 79; Phillips v. Stauch, 20 Mich. 369; Orr v. 

Shraft, 22 Mich. 260; Fisher v. Meister, 24 Mich. 447; Comstock v. 

Comstock, 27 Mich. 97; Amphlet v. Hibbard, 29 Mich. 298; Hanchett 
v. McQueen, 32 Mich. 22; Wallace v. Harris, 32 Mich. 380; Smith v. 

Rumsey, 33 Mich. 183; Barber v. Rorabeck, 36 Mich. 399; Bunker v. 

Paquette, 37 Mich. 79; Griffin v. Johnson, 37 Mich. 87; Eozo v. 

Sutherland, 38 Mich. 168; Drake v. Kinsell, 38 Mich. 232; Stevenson 
v. Jackson, 40 Mich. 702; Watertown Ins. Co. v. G. R. S. M. Co., 41 
Mich. 131; Matson v. Melchor, 42 Mich. 477; Showers v. Robinson, 

43 Mich. 502; Sherrid v. South wick, 43 Mich. 515; Hammond v. 

Wells, 45 Mich. 11; Robinson v. Baker, 47 Mich. 619; Pardo v. 

Bittorf, 48 Mich. 275; Patterson v. Patterson, 49 Mich. 176; Reske 
v. Reske, 51 Mich. 541; Griffin v. Nichols, 51 Mich. 577; Zoellner v. 

Zoellner, 53 Mich. 620; Allen v. Caldwell, 55 Mich. 10; Rigg-s v. 

Sterling-, 60 Mich. 643; Mertz v. Berry, 59 N. W. R. 445. 

Section 3. The homestead of a family, after the death of of homestead, 
the owner thereof, shall be exempt from the payment of his 
debts contracted after the adoption of this constitution, in all 
cases during- the minority of his children. 

Drake v. Kinsell, 38 Mich. 232; Dei v. Habel, 41 Mich. 88; Showers 
v. Robinson, 43 Mich. 502. 

Section 4. If the owner of a homestead die, leaving- a idem, 
widow, but no children, the same shall be exempt, and the 
rents and profits thereof shall accrue to her benefit during 
the time of her widowhood, unless she be the owner of a 
homestead in her own right. 

Dei v. Habel, 41 Mich. 88. 

Section 5. The real and personal estate of every female, Estates of 

^0 rti tX, lcs 

acquired before marriage, and all property to which she may 
afterwards become entitled, by gift, grant, inheritance or 
devise, shall be and remain the estate and property of such 
female, and shall not be liable for the debts, obligations 
or engagements of her husband, and may be devised or 
bequeathed by her as if she were unmarried. 

Brown v. Fifield, 4 Mich. 322; Fisher v. Provin, 25 Mich. 347; 

Ransom v. Ransom, 30 Mich. 328. 


50 CONSTITUTION OF THE Art. XVIII. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

MILITIA. 

Militia,of (a) Skction 1. The militia shall be composed of all able- 

posed. bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen and torty- 

five years, except such as are exempted by the laws (f the 
United States or of this state; but all such citizens, of any 
religious denomination whatever, who, from scruples of con¬ 
science, may be averse to bearing arms, shall be excused 
therefrom upon such conditions as shall be prescribed by law. 

organization. Section 2. The legislature shall provide by law for organ¬ 
izing, equipping and disciplining the militia, in such manner 
as they shall deem expedient, not incompatible with the laws 
of the United States. 

McRae v. Railroad Co., 93 Mich. 399. 

officers, Section 3. Officers of the militia shall be elected or 

election of. 

appointed and be commissioned in such manner as may be 
provided by law. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 

oath of office. Section 1. Members of the legislature, and all officers, 

executive and judicial, except such officers as may by law be 
exempted, shall, before they enter on the duties of their 
respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or 
affirmation: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will 
support the constitution of the United States and the consti¬ 
tution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the 

duties of the office of - according to the best of my 

ability.” And no other oath, declaration or test shall be 
required as a qualification for any office or public trust. 

People v. Mayworm, 5 Mich. 146; People v. Aud. General, 5 Mich. 
193; Underwood v. McDuffee, 15 Mich. 366; People v. Miller, 16 
Mich. 56; People v. Hurlbut, 24 Mich. 44; Shurbun v. Hooper, 40 
Mich. 503; Attorney General v. Detroit Common Council, 58 Mich. 
223. 

Private prop- ( i) ) Section 2. When private property is taken for the use 

erty for public . J 

use. or benefit of the public, the necessity for using such property 


( a ) As amended by joint resolution No. 42, laws of 1869, p. 425; ratified election of 1870. 
( b ) As amended by joint resolution No. 14, laws of 1859, p. 1102; ratified election of 1860. 




Art. XVIII. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


51 


and the just compensation to be made therefor, except when 
to be made by the state, shall be ascertained by a jury of 
twelve freeholders, residing - in the vicinity of such property, 
or by not less than three commissioners, appointed by a 
court of record, as shall be prescribed by law: Provided , 
The foreg-oing - provisions shall in no case be construed to 
apply to the action of commissioners of highways in the 
official discharge of their duty as highway commissioners. 

Williams v. Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; Campau v. Detroit, 14 Mich. 276; 
People v. Highway Commissioners, 15 Mich. 347; Ryan v. Brown, 
18 Mich. 196; People v. Brighton, 20 Mich. 57; People v. Salem, 20 
Mich. 452; C. & M. E. S. R. R. Co. v. Sanford, 23 Mich. 418; Trombly 
v. Auditor General, 23 Mich. 471; M. C. & E. M. R. R Co. v. Clark, 
23 Mich. 519; Sheldon v. Kalamazoo, 24 Mich. 383; Horton v. Grand 
Haven, 24 Mich. 465; McClary v. Hartwell, 25 Mich. 139; Arnold v. 
Decatur, 29 Mich. 77; Powers’ Appeal, 29 Mich. 504; G. R. B. Co. v. 
Jarvis, 30 Mich. 308; Kroop v. Forman, 31 Mich. 144; Paul v. 
Detroit, 32 Mich. 108; Thomas v. Gain, 35 Mich. 155; G. R. N. & E. 
S. R. R. Co. v. G. R. & I. R. R. Co., 35 Mich. 265; Ryerson v. Brown, 
35 Mich. 333; Ayers v. Richards, 38 Mich. 214, 41 Mich. 680; People 
v. E. S. & M. S. R. R. Co., 52 Mich. 284; Bourchard v. Bourassa, 57 
Mich. 8; In re Opening First Street, 58 Mich. 641; Callanan v. Port 
Huron & N. W. R. R., 61 Mich. 14; City of Detroit v. Daly, 68 Mich. 
503; In re Willis Ave., 68 Mich. 635; Pearsall v. Supervisors, 71 
Mich. 445; Vanderlip v. Grand Rapids, 73 Mich. 532; Truax v. 
Sterling, 74 Mich. 160; Detroit v. Beecher, 75 Mich. 454; People v. 
D. G. H. & M. R. R. Co., 79 Mich. 471; Taylor v. Street Railway Co., 
80 Mich. 77; City of Owosso v. Richfield, 80 Mich. 328. 

Section 3. No mechanical trade shall hereafter be taught 
to convicts in the state prison of this state, except the man¬ 
ufacture of those articles of which the chief supply for home 
consumption is imported from other states or countries. 

People v. Insp’r, etc., State Prison, 4 Mich. 187. 

Section 4. No navigable stream in this state shall be 
either bridged or dammed without authority from the board 
of supervisors of the proper county under the provisions of 
law. No such law shall prejudice the right of individuals to 
the free navigation of such streams, or preclude the state 
from the further improvement of the navigation of such 
streams. 

Moore v. Sanborn, 2 Mich. 520; Lorman v. Benson, 8 Mich. 18; 
Tyler v. People, 8 Mich. 320; Ryan v. Brown, 18 Mich. 196; Powers 
v. Irish, 23 Mich. 429; G. R. B. Co. v. Jarvis, 30 Mich. 429; Thunder 
Bay B. Co. v. Speechly, 31 Mich. 336; Clay v. Pennoyer, etc., 34 
Mich. 204; Fox v. Holcomb, 34 Mich. 298; Attorney General v. 


Mechanical 
trades in state 
prison. 


Navigable 

streams. 


52 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Art. XVIII. 


Public 

moneys. 


Laws, etc., to 
be in English. 


Right to bear 
arms. 


Military 
subordinate to 
civil power. 

Quartering of 
soldiers. 


Right of peti¬ 
tion. 


Slavery pro¬ 
hibited. 


Leases. 


Aliens may 
hold property. 


Private prop¬ 
erty. 


Evart B. Co., 34 Mich. 462; Maxwell v. Bridge Co., 41 Mich. 453; 
Benjamin v. Manistee Co., 42 Mich. 628; Nelson v. Cheboygan S. 
W. Nav. Co., 44 Mich. 7; Shepherd v. Gates, 50 Mich. 495; Grand 
Rapids v. Powers, 89 Mich. 94; EaPlaisance Bay Co. v. Monroe, 
Walk. Ch. 155. 

Section 5. An accurate statement of the receipts and 
expenditures of the public moneys shall be attached to, and 
published with, the laws at every regular session of the 
legislature. 

Section 6. The laws, public records, and the written 
judicial and legislative proceedings of the state shall be con¬ 
ducted, promulgated and preserved in the English language. 

Section 7. Every person has a right to bear arms for the 
defense of himself and the state. 

Section 8. The military shall, in all cases, and at all 
times, be in strict subordination to the civil power. 

Section 9. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered 
in any house without the consent of the owner or occupant, 
nor in time of war, except in a manner prescribed by law. 

Section 10. The people have the right peaceably to 
assemble together, to consult for the common good, to 
instruct their representatives, and to petition the legislature 
for redress of grievances. 

State tax law cases, 54 Mich. 282. 

Section 11. Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, 
unless Tor the punishment of crime, shall ever be tolerated in 
this state. 

People v. Hanrahan, 75 Mich. 620. 

Section 12. No lease or grant hereafter of agricultural 
land for a longer period than twelve years, reserving any 
rent or service of any kind, shall be valid. 

Section 13. Aliens who are, or who may hereafter become, 
bona fide residents of this state, shall enjoy the same rights 
in respect to the possession, enjoyment and inheritance of 
property, as native born citizens. 

Crane v. Reeder, 21 Mich. 24; Thompson v. Waters, 25 Mich. 214. 

Section 14. The property of no person shall be taken for 
public use without just compensation therefor. Private roads 
may be opened in the manner to be prescribed by law; but 
in every case the necessity of the road and the amount of 


Art. XIX. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


53 


all damages to be sustained by the opening thereof shall be Private roads, 
first determined by a jury of free-holders; and such amount, 
together with the expenses of proceedings, shall be paid by 
the person or persons to be benefited. 

Williams v. Mayor, 2 Mich. 560; Paul v. Detroit, 32 Mich. 108; 

Ayers v. Richards, 38 Mich. 214; Chaffee’s Appeal, 56 Mich. 253; 

Toledo, A. A. & Nor. R. R. v . Munson, 57 Mich. 44; Vanderlip v. 

Grand Rapids, 73 Mich. 532; Truax v. Sterling-, 74 Mich. 160; Fuller 
v. City of Detroit, 97 Mich. 597. 

Section 15. No general revision of the laws shall hereafter Revision of 
be made. When a reprint thereof becomes necessary, the laws ’ 
legislature in joint convention shall appoint a suitable person 
to collect together such acts and parts of acts as are in force, 
and without alteration, arrange them under appropriate heads 
and titles. The law so arranged shall be submitted to two commission- 
commissioners appointed by the governor for examination, and fnV° exam " 
if certified by them to be a correct compilation of all general 
laws in force, shall be printed in such manner as shall be 
prescribed by law. 

Stewart v. Riopelle, 48 Mich. 178. 


ARTICLE XIX. 

UPPER PENINSULA. 

( c) Section 1 . The counties of Mackinac, Chippewa, Delta, upper penin- 
Marquette, Schoolcraft, Houghton and Ontonagon, and the schedule 66 
islands and territory thereunto attached, the islands of Lake 
Superior, Huron and Michigan, and in Green Bay and the 
Straits of Mackinac and the River Ste. Marie, shall constitute 
a separate judicial district, and be entitled to a district judge 
and district attorney. 

(a) Section 2. The district judge shall be elected by the District judge 
electors of such district, and shall perform the same duties 
and possess the same powers as a circuit judge in his circuit, 
and shall hold his office for the same period. 

(e) Section 3. The district attorney shall be elected every Attorney, 
two years by the electors of the district, shall perform the 
duties of prosecuting attorney throughout the entire district, 


(c ) See act 150, laws 1863, p. 281. 

(d) See act 150, laws 1863, p. 281. See schedule, Sec. 26. 
(e ) See act 191, laws 1865, p. 320. 



54 


CONSTITUTION OF THF 


Art. XIX. 


Senators and 
representa¬ 
tives. 


Compensation 
of judges, etc. 


See Const., 
Art. 4, Sec. 15. 


Election, 
when to take 
place. 


Mining taxes. 


Location of 
state prison. 


Mining com¬ 
panies. 


and may issue warrants for the arrest of offenders in cases of 
felony, to be proceeded with as shall be prescribed by law. 

Section 4. Such judicial district shall be entitled at all 
times to at least one senator, and until entitled to more by 
its population, it shall have three members of the house of 
representatives, to be apportioned among' the several counties 
by the legislature. 

Section 5. The legislature may provide for the payment 
of the district judge a salary not exceeding one thousand 
dollars a year, and of the district attorney not exceeding 
seven hundred dollars a year; and may allow extra compen¬ 
sation to the members of the legislature from such territory, 
not exceeding two dollars a day during any session. 

(f) Section 6 . That elections for all district or county 
officers, state senators or representatives, within the bound¬ 
aries defined in this article, shall take place on the Tuesday 
succeeding the first Monday of November in the respective 
years in which they may be required. The county canvass 
shall be held on the first Monday thereafter, and the district 
canvass on the third Monday of said November. 

Section 7. One-half of the taxes received into the treasury 
from mining corporations in the upper peninsula, paying an 
annual state tax of one per cent, shall be paid to the 
treasurers of the counties from which it is received; to be 
applied for township and .county purposes, as provided by 
law. The legislature shall have power, after the year one 
thousand eight hundred and*fifty-five, to reduce the amount 
to be refunded. 

People v. Auditor General, 9 Mich. 141; Walcott v. People, 17 
Mich. 68. 

Section 8. The legislature may change the location of the 
state prison from Jackson to the upper peninsula. 

Section 9. The charters of the several mining corporations 
may be modified by the legislature, in regard to the term 
limited for subscribing to stock, and in relation to the quantity 
of land which a corporation shall hold ; but the capital shall 
not be increased, nor the time for the existence of charters 
extended. No such corporation shall be permitted to purchase 

(f) As amended b>’ joint resolution No. 17, laws of 1861, p. 589; ratified election of 1862. 



Art. XX. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


55 


or hold any real estate, except such as shall be necessary for 
the exercise of its corporate franchises. 

Mason v. Perkins, 73 Mich. 303. 


(g) ARTICLE XIX-A. 

RAILROADS. 

Section 1. The legislature may, from time to time, pass Railroad fares 
laws establishing reasonable maximum rates of charges for and freights ‘ 
the transportation of passengers and freight on different 
railroads in this state, and shall prohibit running contracts 
between such railroad companies whereby discrimination is piscrimina- 
made in favor of either of such companies as ag*ainst other hibited. 
companies owning connecting or intersecting lines of railroad. 

Wellman v. Chicag-o & G. T. R. R. Co., 83 Mich. 592, 143 U. S. 339. 

Section 2. No railroad corporation shall consolidate its competing 
stock, property, or franchises with any other railroad Corpora- consolidate, 
tion, owning a parallel or competing line; and in no case 
shall any consolidation take place except upon public notice Notice of con- 
given of at least sixty days to all stockholders, in such manner sol,datlon - 
as shall be provided by law. 

F. & P. M. R. R. Co. v. Rich, Commissioner of Railroads, 91 
Mich. 293. 


ARTICLE XX. 

AMENDMENT AND REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 

(r) Section 1. Any amendment or amendments to this Amendments 
constitution may be proposed in the senate or house of Uon 0 "^ 1111 " 
representatives. If the same shall be agreed to by two-thirds 
of the members elected to each house, such amendment or 
amendments shall be entered on the journals respectively, 
with the yeas and nays taken thereon, and the same shall be 
submitted to the electors at the next spring or autumn election 
thereafter, as the legislature shall direct; and if a majority 
of electors qualified to vote for members of the legislature, 
voting thereon, shall ratify and approve such amendment or 
amendments, the same shall become part of the constitution. 

( g ) Submitted by joint resolution No. 1, laws of 1870, p. 13; ratified election of 1870. 

'(h) As amended by joint resolution No. 20, public acts 1875, p. 310; ratified election of 
1876. 



56 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Sched. 


Revision of 
the constitu¬ 
tion. 


Laws to re¬ 
main in force. 


Continuance 
of writs, 
actions, etc. 


Westinghausen v. People, 44 Mich. 265; Seneca Mining - Co. v. 
Secretary of State, 82 Mich. 573. 

( i ) Section 2. At the general election to be held in the 
year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and in each 
sixteenth year thereafter, and also at such other times as the 
legislature may by law provide, the question of the general 
revision of the constitution shall be submitted to the electors 
qualified to vote for members of the legislature, and in case 
a majority of the electors so qualified voting at such election, 
shall decide in favor of a convention for such purpose, the 
legislature, at the next session, shall provide by law for the 
election of such delegates to such convention. All the 
amendments shall take effect at the commencement of the 
year after their adoption. 

Seneca Mining Co. v. Sec. of State, 82 Mich. 573. 

SCHEDULE. 

That no inconvenience may arise from the changes in the 
constitution of this state, and in order to carry the same into 
complete operation, it is hereby declared, that 

Douvielle v. Manistee Supervisors, 40 Mich. 585. 

Section 1 . The common law and the statute laws now in 
force, not repugnant to this constitution, shall remain in force 
until they expire by their own limitations, or are altered or 
repealed by the legislature. 

May v. Rumney, 1 Mich. 3; Stout v. Keyes, 2 Doug. 188; Beecher 
v. Baldy, 7 Mich. 488; Eorman v. Benson, 8 Mich. 18; Walcott v. 
People, 17 Mich. 68; Fisher v. Provin, 25 Mich. 347. 

Section 2. All writs, actions, causes of action, prosecutions 
and rights of individuals and of bodies corporate, and of the 
state, and all charters of incorporation, shall continue; and 
all indictments which shall have been found or which ma,y 
hereafter be found, for any crime or offense committed before 
the adoption of this constitution, may be proceeded upon as 
if no change had taken place. The several courts, except as 
herein otherwise provided, shall continue with the like powers 
and jurisdiction, both at law and in equity, as if this consti¬ 
tution had not been adopted, and until the organization of 
the judicial department under this constitution. 


( i ) As amended by joint resolution No. 17, laws of 1861, p. 589; ratified election of 1862. 



SCHED. 


STATIC OF MICHIGAN. 


57 


Section 3. That all fines, penalties, forfeitures and escheats, Fines, etc. 
accruing to the state of Michigan under the present constitu¬ 
tion and laws, shall accrue to the use of the state under this 
constitution. 

Section 4. That all recognizances, bonds, obligations, and Recogni- 

. zances, bonds 

all other instruments entered into or executed before the a . nd obliga¬ 
tions. 

adoption of this constitution, to the people of the state of 
Michigan, to any state, county or township, or any public 
officer, or public body, or which may be entered into or 
executed, under existing laws, “to the people of the state of 
Michigan,” to any such officer or public body, before the 
complete organization of the departments of government 
under this constitution, shall remain binding and valid; and 
rights and liabilities upon the same shall continue and may 
be prosecuted as provided by law. And all crimes and 
misdemeanors and penal actions, shall be tried, punished and 
prosecuted as though no change had taken place, until other¬ 
wise provided by law. 

Section 5. A governor and lieutenant governor shall be Governor and 

, lieutenant 

chosen under the existing constitution and laws to serve after governor, 
the expiration of the term of the present incumbent. 

Section 6 . All officers, civil and military, now holding officers to 

hold over. 

any office or appointment, shall continue to hold their 
respective offices, unless removed by competent authority, 
until superseded under the laws now in force, or under this 
constitution. 

Section 7. The members of the senate and house of senators and 

representa- 

representatives of the legislature of one thousand eight tives. 
hundred and fifty-one shall continue in office under the 
provisions of law, until superseded by their successors elected 
and qualified under this constitution. 

Section 8. All county officers, unless removed by competent county 

J officers to hold 

authority, shall continue to hold their respective offices until over, 
the first day of January, in the year one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-three. The laws, now in force as to the 
election, qualification and duties of township officers, shall 
continue in force until the legislature shall, in conformity to 
the provisions of this constitution, provide for the holding of 
elections to fill such offices, and prescribe the duties of such 
officers, respectively. 

8 


58 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


SCHED. 


Terms of cer¬ 
tain officers. 


Jurisdiction 
of suits. 


Jurisdiction 
of probate 
courts. 


State printer. 


Dutj' of legis¬ 
lature of 1851. 


Duty of attor¬ 
ney general. 


Section 9. On the first day of January in the year one 
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, the terms of office of 
the judges of the supreme court, under existing laws, and of 
the judges of the county courts, and of the clerks of the 
supreme court, shall expire: on the said day. 

Section 10. On the first day of January in the year one 
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, the jurisdiction of all 
suits and proceedings then pending in the present supreme 
courts shall become vested in the supreme court established 
by this constitution, and shall be finally adjudicated by the 
court where the same may be pending. The jurisdiction of 
all suits and proceedings at law and equity, then pending in 
the circuit courts and county courts for the several counties, 
shall become vested in the circuit courts of the said counties 
and district court for the upper peninsula. 

Section 11. The probate courts, the courts of justices of 
the peace, and the police court, authorized by an act entitled 
“An act to establish a police court in the city of Detroit, 
approved April second, one thousand eight hundred and fifty,” 
shall continue to exercise the jurisdiction and powers now 
conferred upon them respectively, until otherwise provided by 
law. 

Allor v. Wayne Go. Auditors, 43 Mich. 101. 

Section 12. The office of state printer shall be vested in 
the present incumbent until the expiration of the term for 
which he was elected under the law then in force; and all 
the provisions of the said law relating to his duties, rights, 
privileges and compensation shall remain unimpaired and 
inviolate until the expiration of his said term of office. 

Ayers v. Board of State Auditors, 42 Mich. 423. 

Section 13. It shall be the duty of the legislature, at 
their first session, to adapt the present laws to the provisions 
of this constitution, as far as may be. 

People v. May, 3 Mich. 598; Ayers v. State Auditors, 42 Mich. 431. 

Section 14. The attorney general of the state is required 
to prepare and report to the legislature at the commencement 
of the next session such changes and modifications in existing 
laws as may be deemed necessary to adapt the same to this 
constitution, and as may be best calculated to carry into 


SCHED. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


59 


effect its provisions, and he shall receive no additional 
compensation therefor. 

Section 15. Any territory attached to any county for Representa- 

. j. . 1 . . tioti of certaii 

judicial purposes, it not otherwise represented, shall be territory, 
considered as forming- part of such county, so far as reg-ards 
elections for the purpose of representation. 

Section 16. This constitution shall be submitted to the Constitution 

1 - , . . to be sub- 

people tor their adoption or rejection at the g-eneral election netted to 
to be held on the first Tuesday of November, one thousand 
eig-ht hundred and fifty; and there shall also be submitted 
for adoption or rejection at the same time the separate 
resolution in relation to the elective franchise; and it shall 
be the duty of the secretary of state and all other officers, 
required to g-ive or publish any notice in regard to the said 
g-eneral election, to give notice, as provided by law in case 
of an election of g-overnor, that this constitution has been 
duly submitted to the electors at said election. Every news¬ 
paper within this state publishing- in the month of September 
next this constitution as submitted shall receive, as compen¬ 
sation therefor, the sum of twenty-five dollars to be paid as 
the legislature shall direct. 

Section 17. Any person entitled to vote for members of Qualification 

, . . „ , . . . . .. . r of electors. 

the legislature, by the constitution and laws now m force, 

shall at the said election be entitled to vote for the adoption 
or rejection of this constitution, and for or against the 
resolution separately submitted, at the places and in the 
manner provided by law for the election of members of the 
legislature. 

Section 18. At the said general election a ballot box Ballot box. 
shall be kept by the several boards of inspectors thereof for 
receiving the votes cast for or against the adoption of this 
constitution ; and on the ballots shall be written or printed, 
or partly written and partly printed, the words “Adoption of 
the Constitution—Yes,” or “Adoption of the Constitution- 
No.” 

Section 19. The canvass of the votes cast for the adoption Canvass, 
or rejection of this constitution, and the provision in relation 
to the elective franchise separately submitted, and the returns 
thereof shall be made by the proper canvassing officers, in the 
same manner as now provided by law for the canvass and 


60 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Sched. 


Salaries. 


return of the votes cast at an election for governor, as near 
as may be, and the return thereof shall be directed to the 
secretary of state. On the sixteenth day of December next 
or within five days thereafter, the auditor general, state 
treasurer and secretary of state shall meet at the capitol, 
and proceed, in presence of the governor, to examine and 
canvass the returns of the said votes, and proclamation shall 
forthwith be made by the governor of the result thereof. If 
it shall appear that a majority of the votes cast upon the 
question have thereon “Adoption of the Constitution—Yes,” 
this constitution shall be the supreme law of the state from 
and after the first day of January, one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-one, except as is herein otherwise provided; 
but if a majority of the votes cast upon the question have 
thereon “Adoption of the Constitution—No,” the same shall 
be null and void. And in case of the adoption of this 
constitution, said officers shall immediately, or as soon there¬ 
after as practicable, proceed to open the statements of votes 
returned from the several counties for judges of the supreme 
court and state officers under the act entitled “An act to 
amend the revised statutes and to provide for the election of 
certain officers by the people in pursuance to an amendment 
of the constitution,” approved February sixteenth, one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty, and shall ascertain, determine and 
certify the results of the election for said officers under said 
acts, in the same manner, as near as may be, as is now 
provided by law in regard to the election of representatives in 
congress. And the several judges and officers so ascertained 
to have been elected may be qualified and enter upon the 
duties of their respective offices, on the first Monday of 
January next or as soon thereafter as practicable. 

Section 20. The salaries or compensation of all persons 
holding office under the present constitution shall continue to 
be the same as now provided by law, until superseded by 
their successors elected or appointed under this constitution ; 
and it shall not be lawful hereafter for the legislature to 
increase or diminish the compensation of any officer during 
the term for which he is elected or appointed. 


Douvielle v. Manistee Sups., 40 Mich. 585. 


SCHED. 


STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


61 


Section 21. The legislature at their first session shall Expenditures 
provide for the payment of all expenditures of the convention ° f co,lve,,tio " 


to revise the constitution and of the publication of the same 
as is provided in this article. 

Section 22. Every county except Mackinaw and Chippewa Representa- 
entitled to a representative in the legislature, at the time of tlve dlstncts 


the adoption of this constitution, shall continue to be so 
entitled under this constitution, and the county of Saginaw, 
with the territory that may be attached, shall be entitled to 
one representative; the county of Tuscola, and the territory 
that may be attached, one representative; the county of 
Sanilac and the territory that may be attached, one repre¬ 
sentative ; the counties of Midland and Arenac, with the 
territory that may be attached, one representative; the county 
of Montcalm, with the territory that may be attached thereto, 
one representative; and the counties of Newaygo and Oceana, 
with the territory that may be attached thereto, one repre¬ 
sentative; each county having a ratio of representation, and 
a fraction over, equal to a moiety of said ratio, shall be 
entitled to two representatives; and so on above that number, 
giving one additional member for each additional ratio. 


Supervisor v. Blacker, 92 Mich. 638. 

Section 23. The cases pending and undisposed of in the cases pending 

. . in chancery. 

late court of chancery, at the time of the adoption of this 
constitution, shall continue to be heard and determined by 
the judges of the supreme court. But the legislature shall 
at its session in one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one 

provide by law for the transfer of said causes that may 

remain undisposed of on the first day of January, one 

thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, to the supreme or 
circuit court established by this constitution, or require that 
the same may be heard and determined by the circuit judges. 

Section 24. The term of office of the governor and Term of office 

of governor 

lieutenant governor shall commence on the first day of ^" d e 1 r i ®“ t r enant 
January next after their election. 

Section 25. The territory described in the article entitled upper penin- 
“Upper Peninsula,” shall be attached to and constitute a part 
of the third circuit for the election of a regent of the 
university. 


62 


CONSTITUTION OF THE} STATE OF MICHIGAN. Sched. 


District judge 
and district 
attorney. 


Legislature 
of 1851: its 
duties. 


Terms of state 
and county 
officers. 


Judicial cir¬ 
cuits. Const., 
Art. 6, Sec. 7. 


Section 26. The legislature shall have authority after the 
expiration of the term of office of the district judge first 
elected for the “Upper Peninsula,” to abolish said office of 
district judge and district attorney or either of them. 

Section 27. The legislature shall, at its session of one 
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, apportion the repre¬ 
sentatives among the several counties and districts, and divide 
the state into senate districts pursuant to the provisions of 
this constitution. 

Section 28. The terms of office of all state and county 
officers, of the circuit judges, members of the board of 
education, and members of the legislature shall begin on the 
first day of January next succeeding their election. 

Section 29. The state, exclusive of the upper peninsula, 
shall be divided into eight judicial circuits, and the counties 
of Monroe, Lenawee and Hillsdale shall constitute the first 
circuit; the counties of Branch, St. Joseph, Cass and Berrien 
shall constitute the second circuit; the county of Wayne shall 
constitute the third circuit; the counties of Washtenaw, 
Jackson and Ingham shall constitute the fourth circuit; the 
counties of Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Allegan, Eaton and Van 
Buren shall constitute the fifth circuit; the counties of St. 
Clair, Macomb, Oakland and Sanilac shall constitute sixth 
circuit; the counties of Lapeer, Genesee, Saginaw, Shiawassee, 
Livingston, Tuscola and Midland shall constitute the seventh 
circuit; and the counties of Barry, Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, 
Clinton and Montcalm shall constitute the eighth circuit. 

Done in convention at the capitol of the state this fifteenth 
day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty and of the independence of the United 
States the seventy-fifth. 

D. GOODWIN, 

President. 


INDEX 


TO THE 

CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN. 


Art. Sec. 

Absent Members, attendance may be compelled_*_ 4 g 

Actions—Writs, pending at adoption of constitution_Sched. 3 

Jurisdiction transferred, when, etc.___ Sched. 10 

Causes in late court of chancery___ Sched. 23 

Acts—L aws, when to take effect_ 4 20 

To embrace but one object__ . 4 20 

Acquittal on Merits, no trial after__ 6 2 

Adjournment, less than quorum may adjourn from day to day_ 4 6 

Neither house to adjourn for more than three days, except, etc___ 4 12 

Final, of session, hour of_ 4 32 

Time of, how fixed_ 4 33 

Agricultural Improvements, to be promoted_ 13 11 

Agricultural Lands, for what time may be leased__ 18 12 

Agricultural School, to be provided for_ 13 n 

Salt spring lands, etc., to be applied to_ 13 11 

May be branch of university___•____13 n 

May be placed under supervision of regents_ 13 11 

Aliens, rights respecting property_ 18 13 

Amendment, of laws, how made_ 4 25 

To constitution, how made_ 20 1 

Corporation laws may be amended_ 15 1 

Of corporation charters, notice of_ 15 16 

Annual Tax, for state expenditures, etc_ 14 1 

Appointments, Civil, members of the legislature not to receive_ 4 18 

Appropriations, of money or property, what vote required for_ 4 45 

Arms, right of people to bear_ 18 7 

Arrest, when members of the legislature exempt from_ 4 7 

Electors privileged from, when_ 7 3 

Attainder, no bill of, to be passed_ 4 43 

Attorney General, when elected, term of office_ 8 1 

When term of to commence_ 8 2 

Salary of_____,- 9 1 

To keep office at seat of government_ 8 1 

To perform duties prescribed by law_ 8 1 

Vacancy in office of, how filled_ 8 3 

Governor to remove, when_ 12 8 

When governor to appoint successor- 12 8 

Auditor General, when elected, term of office, duties to be prescribed by law_ 8 1 

Term to commence, when__1_ 8 3 











































64 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Auditor General— Continued. Art. 

To keep office at seat of government..----------- 8 

How vacancy in office of, filled____--- 8 

When governor to remove____---*2 

When governor to appoint successor...----'... *2 

Bail, when not to be allowed_____ 6 

Excessive, not to be required_ 6 

Ballot, elections to be by, except when_____ " 

Banks—Banking Associations, a single bank ma} r be created b}- legislature- 15 

Liability of stockholders___ ___*5 

Bills of to be registered, when___l 8 

Security for circulation of------- 

Insolvency of, rights of bill holders____-..15 

Suspension of specie payment bj% not to be authorized__15 

Banking Law, General, to be submitted to vote of people_---__15 

Bills, may originate in either house_____ 4 

Not to be introduced after first fifty days of session_ 4 

To be read three times before passage_____ 4 

Vote on, b 3 ’ yeas and naj's___ 4 

Majority of all members elect required to pass_______ 4 

To be presented to governor for approval------ 4 

Not returned in ten days become law_ 4 

If vetoed to be reconsidered_ _ 4 

Proceedings on reconsideration of_____ 4 

Two-thirds required to pass--------- 4 

When may be signed and filed in five days after close of session- 4 

Appropriating mone) T and property for private or local purposes require two-thirds vote. 4 

Of attainder, not to be passed___ 4 

Binding, of books, etc., to be let bj' contract, etc.___ 4 

Board of State Auditors, how constituted________ 8 

To adjust slaims against state_______ 8 

Board of Education, election of members, terms of office of__13 

Superintendent of public instruction, member of____13 

To have supervision of normal school____13 

Board of State Canvassers, board of state auditors to be...____ 8 

To canvass returns for governor and other state officers, etc- 8 

When decision of, contested, legislature to decide_ 8 

Board of Equalization, powers, duties of_____14 

Board of Regents. See Regents of Utiiversity. 

Board of Auditors of Wayne county, powers of.. 10 

Board of Supervisors, how constituted.....__ 10 

Cities to be represented in_____ _ 10 

Powers to be prescribed by law_ 10 

What powers may be conferred on......... 4 

May organize townships_ 10 

Removal of county seat by_10 

May provide for laying out highways and constructing bridges...____10 

Maj r raise mone 3 r for highwa 3 ^s and bridges, amount of_ 10 

Ma 3 T authorize bridging and damming navigable streams..... 18 

To fix compensation and adjust claims against counties_10 

Allowances by, not subject to appeal........ 10 

When to divide counties into representative districts... 4 

Boundaries of the state of Michigan...... 1 

Bridges, board of supervisors may raise mone 3 r for______10 

Board of supervisors may provide for constructing___ 10 

Over navigable streams, how authorized_ 18 

Census, when to be taken.......... 4 

Chaplain, ma 3 r be emplo 3 'ed in State prison________ 4 

Circuit Courts, courts of record, seal, etc._____ 6 

Jurisdiction of.......... 6 

To be held in each county, when, etc.......... 6 

County clerk to be clerk of____ 6 

Practice in, to be regulated by supreme court____ 6 

Circuit Court Commissioners, authorized, powers of, etc..... 6 

Circuit Judges, to be elected in each circuit______ 6 

First and subsequent elections, when to be_____ 6 


Sec. 

1 

3 

8 

8 

29 

31 

2 

1 

3 

4 

4 

5 

6 
2 

13 
28 
19 
19 

19 

14 
14 
14 
14 
14 

14 
45 
43 
22 

4 

4 

9 

9 

9 

4 

4 

5 
13 

9 

9 

7- 

6 

38 

11 

8 

10 

9 

4 

10 

10 

3 
1 
9 

11 

4 

4 

24 

15 
8 

11 

12 

5 

16 
9 

20 

































































STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


65 


Circuit Judges— Continued. Akt Sec 

Election of, in new circuits.. 6 7 

Eligible to no other office_ 6 9 

Term of office of.. 6 6 

In new circuits_ 6 7 

When appointed or elected to fill vacancy... . . 6 14 

Salary of----_-...Art, 9, Sec. 1 6 9 

May fill vacancies in office of county clerk and prosecuting - attorney_ 6 10 

Can make no other appointments__ 6 10 

To be conservators of the peace____ * ... 6 19 

Not to be removed bj" alteration of circuits_ ..... 6 7 

Removal from circuit vacates office___ ___ .. 6 22 

Vacancy to be filled by governor___ _ _ .... . 6 14 

Cities, when may be org-anized into counties_ 10 2 

To be represented in board of supervisors_ _ . . 10 7 

Incorporation of, to be provided for___ .... ... .15 13 

What powers maj r be conferred on_____ ..... 4 38 

Power of taxation and of borrowing - money to be restricted__ 15 13 

Election of judicial officers of_ __ _. 15 14 

Other officers to be elected or appointed__ 15 14 

Of private property taken for public use in_ 15 15 

Alteration of charter, notice of application for_ 15 16 

Civil Appointments, members of the legislature not to receive_ 4 18 

Civil Power, military subject to_ ]8 8 

Civil Process, members of legislature exempt from, when__ 4 7 


Civil Rights, privileges, etc., of persons not to be diminished on account of religious 


belief__ 4 41 

Claims and Accounts, legislature not to allow private...__ 4 31 

Claims Against Counties, adjustment by board of supervisors__ 10 , 10 

ClXims Against State, how adjusted__ 8 4 

Clerk, of supreme court, judges to appoint_ 6 12 

Of circuit court, county clerk to be_ 6 12 

Collector, holder, or disburser of public money, when allowed seat in legislature, or to 

hold office_ 4 30 

Commander-in-Chief, governor is, of military an'd naval forces_ 5 40 

Is also when absent from state in time of war_ 5 12 

Commissions, to be signed by governor__...!_ 5 19 

Commissioner of the Rand Office, when elected, term of office, etc_ 8 1 

Salary of_ 9 1 

Term to commence, when_ 8 2 

To keep office at seat of government'_ 8 1 

Vacancy in office of, how filled_ 8 3 

To be member of board of state auditors_ 8 4 

To be member of board of state canvassers_ 8 4 

When governor to remove_*__12 8 

When governor to appoint successor_ 12 8 

Common Law, retained______Sched. 1 

Compensation, for publishing laws in newspapers_ 4 37 

Of members of the legislature_ 4 15 

At extra sessions_ 4 15 

From the upper peninsula_ 4 15 

Of president of senate and speaker of house_ 4 17 

In contested election cases_ 4 29 

Of lieutenant governor, when acting as governor_ 5 17 

Of president pro tem. of senate when acting as governor__ 5 17 

Extra, not allowed to officers and contractors__ 4 10 

To be paid by counties, how fixed___...- 10 10 

Conciliation, courts of, may be established._ 6 23 

Constitution, submission of, to the people___Sched. 16-19 

Amendments, how proposed and ratified-- 20 1 

When certain amendments to take effect_ 20 2 

How may be revised, etc._ 20 2 

Contracts, obligation of, not to be impaired_ 4 43 

Members of legislature not to be interested in certain__ 4 18 

Extra compensation not to be allowed on certain_ 4 21 

State officers and members not to be interested in, when_ 4 22 


9 

































































66 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Contracts— Continued. Art. Sec. 

For fuel, stationery, printing, binding, etc........ 4 2 

Not to be altered, rescinded or released. 4 22 

Conveyances of land, not to be authorized by special law. 4 21 

Convention to revise constitution, when may be called, etc.__ 20 3 

Corporations, term defined--__- 15 11 

May sue and be sued_15 H 

To be formed under general laws, except for municipal purposes_ 15 1 

A single bank, etc., may be created_15 1 

Terms of existence of__ 15 10 

Real estate may be held by, for what time__15 12 

Alteration of charter, notice to be given, etc_____15 16 

Acts of incorporation passed prior to constitution, how amended__15 8 

Not to be renewed or extended, when__ 15 8 

Counties, are bodies corporate, organization, powers of, etc___..._10 1 

Suits, by and against, in name of____:__.. 10 3 

Territorial extent of_10 2 

When cities may be organized into__10 2 

Not liable for acts of sheriff_10 5 

Compensation for services for, and claims against_10 10 

When may be divided in forming senate districts_ 4 2 

When entitled to a representative in the legislature_ 4 2 

When to be divided into representative districts_ 4 2 

County Clerk, to be clerk of circuit court_ 6 12 

County Officers, list of, when elected, etc_ 10 3 

Terms of office of_ 10 3 

Office of clerk and register may be united, etc- 10 3 

Vacancies in, how filled_10 13 

What to hold offices at county seat__ 10 4 

County Roads, legislature may provide for laying out_ 4 49 

County Seat, removal of, proceedings for___10 8 

Courts, judicial power vested in_ 6 1 

Municipal courts may be established_ 6 1 

Courts of conciliation authorized_ 6 23 

** 

Existing at adoption of constitution, retained, etc.______Sched. 2 

Of probate and of justices of the peace, jurisdiction continued_Sched. 11 

Credit of State not to be granted, except, etc_ 14 6 

Criminal Prosecutions, right of the accused in. 6 28 

Person not subject to, after acquittal, etc.._ 6 29 

Accused in, is not compelled to be a witness against himself_ 6 32 

Dams, upon navigable streams, how authorized__T_____18 4 

Deaf, Dumb, Blind and Insane, provisions for, to be made_ x .. 13 10 

Debate, freedom of, in legislature, assured_ 4 7 

Debt, imprisonment for, prohibited, except, etc__ 6 33 

Districts, Judicial. See Judicial Districts. 

Districts, senate.. 4 2 

Rearrangement of senate districts_ 4 4 

Representative districts ..s._,_________ 4 3 

Reapportionment of_ 4 4 

Divorce, not to be granted by legislature._ 4 26 

Due Process of Law, no one to be deprived of life, liberty or propert}- without...:... 6 32 

Dueling, disqualifies for office and voting__ 7 8 

Educational Fund, interest on, application of specific taxes to pay__ 14 1 

Interest of, how applied. 13 2 

From what school districts withheld_ 13 5 

Election, of senator and representatives, when held, etc. 4 34 

Of governor and lieutenant governor, when. 5 3 

Of state officers, etc_ 8 1 

Of county officers.. 10 3 

Elections, who competent to vote at__ 7 1 

What votes to be given by ballot__ 7 2 

In upper peninsula, time of and canvass_,_19 6 

Laws to preserve purity of, may be enacted_ 7 6 

In legislature, votes to be viva voce _____.".. 4 11 

Electors, qualifications, residence, age of. 7 1 

Absent in army, not to be deprived of vote.. 7 1 

i 


































































STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


67 


* 

Electors— Continued. Art Sec 

Dueling - disqualifies.... 7 g 

Exempt from arrest, when.... .73 

From military duty, when....... 74 

From attendance as witnesses, when. 7 4 

Residence not acquired or lost, how... .75 

Of soldiers, seamen and marines_ 7 7 

Elective Franchise, abuse of, to be guarded ag-ainst__ 7 6 

English Language, instruction in primary schools, to be g-iven in.. 13 4 

Laws, records, and judicial proceeding's to be in___ 1 _ 18 6 

Escheated Lands, applications of proceeds and income of. 13 3 

Executive Power, vested in governor........ .51 

Exemptions, of personal property from execution_ 16 7 

Of homesteads to owner_ 16 2 

To family of deceased.. 16 3 

To widow___ •_ ___ 46 4 

Of property to females_________ _ .16 5 

Of members of legislature from arrest, when_ 4 7 

Of electors on election day from arrest, when__ 7 3 

From military dut>’, when__ 7 4 

From attendance as witnesses, when__ 7 4 

Ex Post Facto Laws not to be passed. 4 43 

Expulsion, of members of legislature, may be made by either house_ 4 9 

But not a second time for the same cause_ 4 9 

Extra Compensation not to be allowed to officers and contractors_ 4 21 

Extra Session of the legislature, may be called by the governor__ 5 1 

What subjects may be legislated on at_ 4 15 

Compensation of members, for what time.. 4 15 

Fees, when prohibited__ 9 1 

Females, rights of property and power of disposition of, etc_ 16 5 

Property of, not liable for debts of husband. 16 5 

Fines, excessive, not to be imposed______.’___ 6 31 

For breaches of penal laws, applied to support of libraries_ 13 12 

Freedom, of speech and of the press not to be abridged_.._ 4 42 

Of debate in the legislature secured_ 4 7 

Of religious belief and worship not to be interfered with..... 4 39 

Fuel, Stationery, for state, contracts for, to be let, etc.._... 4 22 

Governor, vested with the executive power..*..... 5 1 

Who eligible to office of. 5 2 

Members of congress, federal and state officers not eligible_ 5 15 

Not eligible to any other office, etc. 5 16 

Election of, when, etc. 5 3 

W T hen bj' legislature.. 5 3 

Term of office... 5 1 

To commence, when......Sched. 24 

To be commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces.... 5 4 

To sign bills approved, within ten days, during session of legislature_ 4 14 

And in five dai’s after close of session, in certain cases.... 4 14 

To return bills disapproved, with his objections. 4 14 

To transact all necessary business with officers of government__ 5 5 

To see to the enforcement of the laws__ 5 6 

To give information to legislature by message-- 5 8 

To recommend measures deemed expedient.. 5 8 

To issue writs of election to fill certain vacancies. 5 10 

To sign commissions to state officers- 5 19 

To fill vacancies during impeachment--------12 5 

To examine into administration of public offices and officers.. 12 8 

May remove certain state officers. 12 8 

To fill vacancies caused by such removal... 12 8 

Maj- require information of certain state officers in writing... 5 5 

May call extra session of legislature.. 5 7 

When may convene legislature at other places than at the capitol... 5 9 

When ma}’ grant reprieves and pardons... 5 11 

To report pardons granted .....---. 5 11 

May suspend execution of sentence for treason.. 5 11 

When may remove judges.....--.......12 6 



































































68 CONSTITUTION OF THE 

4 

Governor— Continued. Art. Sec. 

Official acts of, how authenticated....... 5 18 

Vacancy in office of, to he filled by lieutenant governor—...—-- 5 12 

When by president pro tem. of senate___1_ 3 13 

Habeas Corpus, when writ of, not to be suspended--- 4 44 

Highways, commissioners and overseers of, to be elected in each township--- H 1 

Taking private property for. 18 2 

Certain not to be vacated by legislature. 4 23 

Highways and Bridges, boards of supervisors may lay out and construct.. 10 11 

May raise money for, by tax or loan. 10 9 

Homestead. See Exemptions. 

Alienation or mortgage of, by married men, when void.........10 2 

When widow entitled to rents and profits of_ 10 4 

House of Representatives, provided for.... 4 1 

Number of members, etc- 4 3 

Organization of districts, etc___ 4 3 

Reapportionment of members of_ 4 4 

Qualification of members of_ 4 5 

Who ineligible to membership in___*------... 4 0 

Members privileged from arrest, etc._ 4 7 

What constitutes quorum, attendance, etc- 4 8 

Rules of proceedings, expulsion of members, etc._____.. 4 9 

Journal of proceedings, etc-- 4 10 

Opening of doors, adjournment, etc____' — l- 4 12 

General provisions. 4 13-48 

Has sole power of impeachment, etc__ 12 1 

Impeachment, house has sole power of.... 12 1 

Majority of members required to order_ 12 1 

To be tried by senate_ 12 1 

Trial to be held after final adjournment. 12 3 

To be managed by a committe from the house.,_ 12 3 

What majority required for conviction.._ 12 2 

Extent of judgment of.... 12 2 

Judicial officers suspended during proceedings_ 12 4 

Vacancy during, how supplied_ 12 5 

Imprisonment for debt, when prohibited.._ 6 33 

For militia fines, when prohibited.__ 6 33 

Incorporation, acts of, prior to constitution, how amended __ 15 8 

How may be renewed or extended, etc.___ 15 10 

Insane, provision to be made for_ 13 10 

Intellectual Improvement, to be promoted __ 13 11 

Internal Improvement, when state may engage in, etc.. 14 9 

Joint Convention, of the two houses, vote in to be viva voce _ 4 11 

Joint Resolutions, to be read three times before final passage_ 4 19 

Majority of all members elect required for_ 4 19 

Approval by the governor_ 4 \4 

Journal, each house to keep and publish__ 4 10 

When 3 r eas and nays to be entered in_ 4 10 

When protest of members to be entered in_ 4 10 

Votes on nominations to senate to be entered in__ 4 11 

Governor’s objection to bills to be entered in..........:_ 4 14 

Votes on bills vetoed to be entered in__ 4 14 

Judicial Circuits, state to be divided into .. 6 6 

May be altered and increased__ 6 7 

First division under constitution.._______...Sched. 29 

Judicial Decisions, publication of, to be provided for__ 4 36 

Publication of, to be free to all_ 4 36 

Judicial Officers, suspended during proceedings to impeach. 12 4 

Vacancy during suspension, how supplied. 12 5 

Of cities and villages, to be elected___ 15 14 

Judicial Power, where vested__ 6 1 

Judges, removal of, when and how_ 12 6 

Judges of the Circuit Courts. See Circuit Judges. 

Judges of the Supreme Court, to be elected__ 6 2 

Classification of the judges_ 6 2 

Term of office of__ 6 2 

































































STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


69 

Judges of the Supreme Court— Continued. Art. Sec. 

When appointed or elected to fill vacancy_________ 6 14 

Vacancy in, to be filled by governor.......... .... 6 14 

May appoint a clerk... 6 12 

A reporter.. 6 10 

Can make no other appointments__ 6 10 

Concurrence of three, required for a decision. 6 2 

Judge dissenting to give reasons.. 6 10 

To be conservators of the peace... 6 19 

Jurors, number required in criminal cases........•__ 6 28 

For condemnation of private property for public use. 18 2 

When less than twelve may be provided for. 4 46 

Jury, Trial by, right of, to remain. 6 27 

When deemed waived in civil cases__ 6 27 

Right of accused to, in criminal cases.. 6 28 

In condemning private property for public use.. 18 2 

For property taken in cities and villages__ 15 15 

To determine necessity, etc., for taking lands for private roads......18 14 

Justices of the Peace, four to be elected in each town. 6 17 

Term of office of, classification, etc. 6 17 

Number may be increased in cities_ 6 17 

Elected to fill vacancies, holds for residue of unexpired term_ 6 17 

Jurisdiction of.......1... 6 18 

Exercised under former constitution continued......Sched. 11 

To be conservators of the peace. 6 19 

When removal of, or change in township, vacates office___ . _ 6 » 22 

Lands, granted for educational purposes, application of proceeds, etc...13 2 

Escheated lands, application, etc. 13 2 

Land Office. See Commissioner of the Land Office. 

Laws, Acts, style of.. 4 48 

To embrace but one object_ 4 20 

Title of, to express object..„...... 4 20 

When to take effect_ 4 20 

How revised, altered or amended. 4 25 

No general revision to be made. 18 15 

Speedy publication to be provided for_ 4 36 

Publication of, free to all__ 4 36 

In newspapers, compensation for__ 4 35 

Reprinting when required, provision for__ 18 15 

Impairing obligation of contracts, forbidden_ 4 43 

To be promulgated in English language_ 18 6 

Law and Equity, distinction between proceedings in, to be abolished as far as practicable. 6 5 

Laws, Journals and Documents, each member of the legislature entitled to copy.. 4 15 

Contracts for printing to be let, etc- 4 22 

Legislative Power, vested in a senate and house of representatives. 4 1 

Legislature, composed of senate and house.__ 4 1 

To meet biennially, when and where_ 4 33 

When at other places than capitol. 5 9 

Final adjournment to be fixed by concurrent resolution. 4 33 

Hour of final adjournment_______-. 4 32 

Less than quorum of each house may adjourn from day to day.. 4 8 

Neither house to adjourn for more than three days without consent of the other-- 4 12 

Extra session may be called when-------... 5 7 

What subjects may be legislated upon, at-- 4 15 

To cause enumeration of inhabitants. 4 4 

To arrange senate districts- 4 4 

To apportion representatives........-. 4 4 

Members of, who eligible as.. 4 5 

Certain officers ineligible as .......... 4 6 * 

Vacancy, how caused......-.----- 4 5 

Official oath of__-----1 

Privileged from arrest when.........-. 4 7 

Not to be questioned for speech in debate. 4 7 

Compensation of- 4 15 

Of president and speaker..... ^ 

Entitled to stationery....---- 4 

































































70 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


Legislature— Continued . Art. Sec. 

Members of, entitled to one copy of laws, journals, etc-- 4 15 

Not to receive books, newspapers, or other perquisites, etc.. — _- 4 1° 

Not to be interested in contracts, etc,...- 4 22 

In elections in, votes to be viva voce _ 4 H 

To sit with open doors, unless secrecy required, etc.- 4 *2 

Bills may originate in either house_ 4 13 

Bills and resolutions, how passed______ 4 19 

To be approved by governor_ 4 I 4 

Vetoed, proceedings on_ 4 44 

Postage on matter received may be paid, but not on matter mailed---- 4 16 

Not to grant extra compensation, etc-- 4 21 

To prescribe manner of state printing- 4 22 

To provide for letting contract for fuel, printing, binding, etc...-- 4 22 

Not to rescind contracts, nor release contractors - 4 22 

Not to authorize convej r ances by special law__-------____ 4 23 

Not to vacate certain streets or highwaj’s_ 4 23 

Maj* authorize chaplain for state prison_ 4 2 4 

Not to appropriate money for religious services, etc.. 4 24 

Not to grant divorces_ 4 26 

Not to authorize lotteries_ 4 27 

Not to audit private claims_____----- 4 31 

Not to establish state paper_ 4 35 

To provide for publication of the laws_ 4 36 

May declare causes of vacancy in office__ 4 37 

» And provide for filling same- 4 37 

May confer power of local legislation._ 4 38 

Not to interfere with matters of religion_ 4 31 

Not to appropriate money to religious sects or seminaries__ 4 ■40 

Not to affect civil or political rights on account of religious belief--- 4 41 

Not to abridge freedom of speech or press_ 4 4 2 

To pass no bill of attainder or ex post facto law...,_,___ 4 4 3 

Nor law impairing obligation of contracts_ 4 4 3 

May authorize trial by jury of less than twelve.. 4 4-6 

May provide for the laying out countj r and township roads___ 4 49 

To decide tie on election of state officers_ 8 5 

To provide for removals from office_ 12 7 

May authorize city of Grand Rapids to improve Grand river_ 14 9 

Each house. See House of Representatives and Senate . 

Liability, of officers and stockholders of banking corporations__15 3 

Of stockholders of corporations and joint stock companies.__ 15 7 

Libel, truth and good motives, a defense.. 6 25 

Liberty of speech and press, not to be abridged _ 4 42 

Library, to be established in each township_1.......13 1 

Lieutenant Governor, term of office of__ 5 1 

Election of, when to take place_ 5 3 

When elected by the legislature. 5 3 

Not eligible to other office.*._:....... 5 16 

When to act as governor_ 5 12 

To be president of senate_ 5 14 

May debate in committee of the whole_1___;_ 5 14 

To give casting vote in case of a tie_ 5 14 

Compensation of, when acting as governor.. 5 17 

Life, Liberty, Property, no one to be deprived of without due process of law_ 6 32 

Lotteries, and sale of tickets of, not to be permitted_ 4 27 

Majority, of each house a quorum......._. 4 8 

Malfeasance, misfeasance in office, when governor to remove for_____12 8 

Married Men, alienation of land by, when void. 16 2 

Married Women, right of property of_ 16 5 

Mechanical Trades, what not to be taught in state prison, etc_ 18 3 

Meeting of Legislature, when and where. 4 33 

Members of Legislature. See Representatives and Senators. 

Michigan, boundaries of. 1 l 

Militia, governor commander-in-chief of.. 5 4 

Of whom composed, exemption_ 17 1 

Organizing, equipping, etc... 17 2 

































































STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


71 


Militia— Continued. 

Officers of. appointment, commissions.______ 

Military Power, subject to civil power....... 

Mining Companies, legislature may modify charters of.. 

Municipal Courts may be established____ 

Navigable Streams, bridging and damming___ 

State maj r improve________... 

Rights of navigation of, not to be prejudiced...... 

Nominations to Senate, votes on, how taken, to be entered, etc... 

Normal School. See Board of Education. 

Oath of Office, when and by whom to be taken .. 

Obligation of Contracts, laws shall not impair_• ... 

Office, dueling disqualifies for_____.....____ 

Collector, holder, disburser of public money, ineligible to, when_ 

Legislature to declare cases in which, become vacant___ 

Also manner of filling_____ 

Removals from. See Removal from Office. 

Officers, each house to choose its own_____ 

To be commissioned by governor, when__ 

Of state. See State Officers. 

Of counties. See County Officers. 

Of townships_____.... 

Pardons, governor maj- grant, except for treason and on impeachment. 

Governor to report pardons granted........ 

Penalties, may be prescribed for absence of members of the legislature... 

Perquisites of office prohibited to state officers____.... 

Petition, right of, assured........ 

Postage, payment of, on matter received by members of the legislature_ 

Powers of Government, how divided...... 

Of one department not to be exercised by another_____ 

President of Senate, lieutenant governor to be....... 

Compensation of___ 

President pro tem. of Senate, when to act as governor__ 

Compensation when so acting_______ 

Primary Schools, free system to be provided for.... 

Instruction to be in English language ....... 

Each district to maintain school three months, etc. ...... 

Districts neglecting to maintain, to be deprived of public funds, etc. 

Printing and Binding, manner of executing printing, etc.. 

Contracts for printing and binding to be let, etc._____ 

Members of legislature not to be interested in ... 

Not to be altered, rescinded or released... 

Private Property, taken for public use, compensation for--- 

When taken, just compensation to be made--- 

In cities and villages... 

Necessity for taking, and compensation, how determined.. 

Private Roads, proceedings in opening of...... 

Process, style of__-_-... 

Probate Court, judicial power in..... 

Is a court of record, and to have seal.. 

To be organized in each county___ 

Jurisdiction to be prescribed bj r law.—.----- 

Judge to elected for four j'ears.-.. 

First and subsequent elections, when to be held---- 

Removal of judge from county vacates office... 

Vacancy in office, how filled ------- 

Judge to hold office at county seat.. 

Property, taking of. See Private Property. 

Protest—Dissent, of members, when to be entered on journal- 

Publication of Laws, in newspapers...... 

Speed 3 ', to be provided for.-.. 

Of judicial decisions...--- 

Of laws and decisions free to all.----- 

Public Money, receipts and expenditures of, to be published- 

Public Use—Improvements. 

Property taken for, to be compensated ...-. 


Art. Sec. 
.. 17 3 

.. 18 8 

.. 19 9 

._ 6 1 

.. 18 4 

.. 18 4 

.. 18 4 

.. 4 11 

.. 18 1 

.. 4 43 

..7 8 

.. 4 30 

.. 4 37 

4 37 

.. 4 9 

.. 5 19 


11 1 

5 11 

5 11 

4 8 

9 1 

18 10 

4 16 

3 1 

3 2 

5 14 

4 17 

5 13 

5 17 

13 15 

13 4 

13 5 

13 5 

4 22 

4 22 

4 22 

4 22 

15 9 

18 14 

15 15 

18 2 

18 14 

6 35 

6 1 

6 15 

6 13 

6 13 

6 13 

6 21 

6 22 

6 14 

10 4 

4 10 

4 35 

4 30 

4 36 

4 36 

18 5 

15 9 





























































72 


CONSITUTION OF THE 


Art. Sec. 

14 

15 
2 

31 
8 
1 
2 
14 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 

7 

8 
8 
8 
8 
8 

11 
24 


Public Use—Improvements— Continued. 

Just compensation to be made for......... 

In cities and villages......... 

Necessity and compensation for, how determined... 18 

Punishments, cruel and unusual not to be inflicted------ 6 

Quorum, a majority of each house makes........ 4 

Railroads, legislature may regulate, etc........ 19 a 

Consolidation prohibited in certain cases----- 19 a 

Reconsideration, of bills vetoed, proceedings, etc. ........-.. 4 

Records and judicial proceedings, to be in the English language....... 18 

Regents of the University, when elected_____ 12 

Term of office of________ 12 

Vacancies, how filled_____13 

To constitute the board of regents________13 

To be a body corporate .......... 13 

To elect a president of the university.......13 

President to be a member and president of board_____13 

Also principal executive officer of the university------- 13 

Board to have general supervision of the university, etc._____13 

Board to have control of expenditures___.___ 13 

Supervision of agricultural school may be given to board_„i_ 13 

Religious Services, no payment for, in either house........ 4 

Religious Opinions, Belief, etc., rights, privileges and capacities of persons not to bp 

diminished or enlarged on account of______ 4 

Not to affect competency of witnesses______, 6 

Religious Sects, Seminaries, state not to make appropriations for ___........ 4 

Religious Worship and teachings, legislature not to interfere with or require support of.. 4 

Removals from Office, of judges, by governor and senate, when____ 12 

For malfeasance, misfeasance, corruption, etc., by governor, when...12 

Legislature to provide for, of county, town, and school officers, etc...... 12 

Reporter, supreme court may appoint_____ 6 

Representatives, must be citizens and electors.. v ___ 4 

Election of, by districts______,_ 4 

Term of office_ 4 

Compensation__________ 4 

Office-holder not eligible as______ 4 

Removal from district vacates office___ 4 

Expulsion of, how made, etc....._________ 4 

Exempt from arrest, except, etc._____ 4 

From civil process, when___ 4 

Not to be questioned for speech in debate_______ 4 

Attendance may be compelled__ 4 

Entitled to copy of laws, journals, etc________,_ 4 

To papers, stationery, etc._____ 4 

No other books, perquisites, etc._•___._..... 4 

Vacancy filled by election, etc.________ 5 

Representatives, House of. See House of Representatives. 

Representative Districts, how formed........ 4 3 

Not to be altered, except when________._ 4 4 

Reapportionment, when to be made ____,___ 4 4 

First apportionment under constitution___i____Sched. 27 

Reprieves. See Pardons. 

Residence of electors........... 7 

Not gained or lost when in state service, etc._____..._ 7 

Soldiers, seamen, marines, do not gain, etc__ 7 

Revision of Constitution, when may be voted on, etc.....20 

General revision of the laws prohibited______18 

Roads. See Highvja'ys, Highways and Bridges, Private Roads. 

Rules of Proceedings, each house to prescribe for itself.......... 4 9 

Salaries, of state officers, circuit judges, etc....'.. 9 l 

Legislature not to increase or diminish_ 9 i 

Sale, Conveyance, of lands, not to be authorized by special law_ 4 23 

Salt Spring Lands, application of.__ 13 n 

Scientific Improvement, to be promoted_ 13 n 

Script, evidence of debt, state not to issue, except, etc. 14 7 

Searches and Seizures, unreasonable, prohibited... 6 26 


41 

34 

40 

39 

6 

8 

7 

10 

5 
3 
3 

15 

6 
5 
9 
7 
7 

7 

8 
15 
15 
15 
10 






























































STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


73 


Art. Sec. 

Seal of State, to be kept by secretary of. 5 18 

Seat of Government, at Lansing-. 2 1 

School. See Primary , Normal , Agricultural Schools. 

Secretary of State, to keep seal of state. 5 18 

When elected, term of office.-.. 8 1 

Term to commence, when. 8 2 

To keep office at seat of g-overnment. 8 1 

Salary of, no fees or perquisites. 9 1 

To be member of board of state auditors... 8 4 

To be member of board of state canvassers. 8 4 

Vacancy in office of, how filled.. 8 3 

Governor may remove, when. 12 8 

To appoint successor, when.... 12 8 

Senate, number of members and formation of districts. 4 2 

Rearrangement of districts, etc. 4 7 

Qualifications of members of, etc. 4 5 

Who inelig-ible to membership in..._. 4 6 

Members of, privileged from arrest, etc. 4 7 

Quorum, adjournments, attendance, etc. 4 8 

Rules of proceeding's, expulsion of members, etc... 4 9 

Journal of proceedings, yeas and nays, etc. 4 10 

Votes on nominations, etc... 4 11 

Opening of doors, adjournments, etc. 4 12 

General provisions relating to. 4 13-48 

To try impeachments. 12 2 

Senators, must be citizens and electors.-.. 4 5 

Election of, by districts....... 4 2 

Term of office. 4 2 

Compensation of. 4 15 

Office-holder not eligible as. 4 6 

Removal from district vacates office..... 4 5 

May be expelled, etc. 4 9 

Exempt from arrests in certain cases.’... 4 7 

Not subject to civil process for certain time. 4 7 

Not to be questioned for speech in debate. 4 7 

Attendance may be compelled... 4 8 

Entitled to copy of laws, journals, etc.. 4 15 

To papers, stationery»etc. 4 15 

To no other books, perquisites, etc. 4 15 

Vacancy filled by election, etc. 5 10 

Senate Districts, how formed, number of, etc. 4 2 

Rearrangement of, when to be made. 4 4 

First division of state into.....Sched. 27 

Sheriff, limit as to holding office._. 10 5 

To hold no other office. 10 5 

To renew security, when. 10 5 

Vacancy for failure to renew.. . 10 5 

County not liable for acts of.-. 10 5 

Sinking Fund, provision for, object of, etc. 14 2 

Slavery, prohibition of. 18 11 

Soldiers, may vote in army, etc.-... 7 1 

Not to be quartered in private houses, etc. 18 9 

Speaker of House, compensation of. 4 17 

Specie Payments, suspension of, not to be authorized. 15 6 

Speech, freedom of, not to be restrained... 4 2 

Members of legislature not to be questioned for. 4 7 

Specific State Taxes, how applied. 14 1 

State to provide for, and continue to collect... 14 10 

State, credit of, not to be granted to any person, corporation, etc. 14 6 

Scrip, evidence of debt, not to be issued except in certain cases... 14 7 

Not to subscribe to stocks, etc.-. 14 8 

Not to engage in internal improvement, except. 14 9 

May impose and collect specific taxes. 14 10 

Claims against, how adjusted. 8 4 

State Auditors. See Board of State Auditors. 

10 


































































74 


CONSTITUTION OF THE 


State Canvass—Canvassers. See Board of State Canvassers. Art. Sec. 

State Indebtedness, interest on. 14 1 

Application of specific taxes to.- 14 1 

Of annual state tax for interest on, etc. 14 1 

Sinking- fund for. 14 2 

Unfunded debt, rate payable at.-. 14 2 

May be contracted to meet deficits. 14 3 

To what amount. 14 3 

May be incurred to repel invasion.-. 14 4 

State Officers, when elected. 8 1 

Canvass of election, returns of. 8 4 

Terms of office of.-. 8 1 

Terms of office, when to commence.. 8 2 

To keep office at seat of government. 8 1 

Salaries of.-.-. 9 1 

To receive no fees or perquisites.. 9 1 

Vacancies in, g-overnor to fill..-. 8 3 

Governor to examine into administration of. 11 8 

To remove when...-.—. 11 8 

To supply vacancies caused by removal. 11 8 

State Treasurer, when elected, term of office. 8 1 

Term to commence, when. 8 2 

To keep office at seat of g-overnment. 8 1 

Salary of, no fees or perquisites. 9 1 

Member of board of state auditors. 8 4 

Of board of state canvassers. 8 4 

Vacancy in office, how filled....-.-.. 8 3 

When g-overnor to remove and appoint successor. 12 8 

State Treasury, how money drawn from. 14 5 

State Paper, not to be established-- 4 35 

State Prison, chaplain for.--- 4 24 

What mechanical trades may be taug-ht in_ 18 3 

May be transferred to upper peninsula_ 19 8 

Stationery, paper, etc., what amount allowed members for_ 4 15 

Statutes, in force at adoption of constitution not repugnant, retained...Sched. 1 

Stock, of companies, state not to subscribe to_14 8 

Stockholders, of banking associations, liability__ 15 3 

Of corporations, etc., liable for labor, etc._ 15 7 

Streets, when legislature not to vacate._ 4 23 

Suitors, in court, may appear in person or by attorney, etc___ 6 24 

Superintendent of Public Instruction, when elected. 8 1 

Term of office_ 8 1 

Term to commence, when_ 8 2 

To keep office at seat of government_ 8 1 

Salary of, no fees or perquisites_ 9 1 

To have general supervision of public instruction___ 13 1 

Member of board of education_ 13 9 

Vacancy in office, how filled_ 8 3 

When governor may remove and appoint successor_12 8 

Supervisors. See Board of Supervisors. 

Election of .. 11 1 

Supreme Court, judicial power vested in.. 6 1 

To be court of record and have a seal... 6 15 

Judges of, for first six years__ 6 2 

Number of judges to concur in decisions.... 6 2 

Organization of after six years. 6 2 

Jurisdiction of__ 6 2 

Original and appellate..,____ 6 3 

How constituted... 6 2 

Terms of. 6 4 

To regulate practice in b} r general rules, etc.. 6 5 

Practice in circuit courts.. 6 5 

May prescribe by rule jurisdiction of circuit courts .. 6 8 

To appoint a clerk. 6 12 

A reporter... 6 10 

Decisions to be in writing, etc..... 6 10 


































































STATE OF MICHIGAN. 


Taxes—Taxation, uniform rule for except on certain property___ 

On what property to be levied___ 

Assessments, at cash value_______ 

Equalization by state board..... 

Laws imposing, to state tax and object...... 

Power of, to be limited in cities and villages___ 

Specific in upper peninsula, disposition of... 

Terms of Office, commencement of____ 

Tests, Qualifications, for office, what required or permitted___ 

Title of Acts, to express object, etc....... 

Townships, officers elected, when..... 

Are bodies corporate____ 

May be organized by boards of supervisors___ 

Powers of, suits by and against______ 

What powers may be conferred_____ 

Township Libraries, to be established..._.. 

Fines to be applied to support of..__ 

Township Roads, legislature may provide for the laying out of... 

Treason against the state, what constitutes, etc.... 

Conviction for, when may be had, etc._ 

Governor may suspend execution of sentence_ 

Legislature may pardon, etc._____ 

Trial by Jury, right of retained......... 

When deemed waived___________ 

In criminal cases____ 

Of less than twelve may be authorized_ 

University of Michigan. See Regtnts of the University. 

Board of regents to have supervision of... 

President chief executive officer of___ 

Agricultural school may be united to___ 

Upper Peninsula, at adoption of constitution . 

A separate judicial district_____ 

One senator, three representatives..... 

District judge....... 

District attorney............ 

Salary of judge and attorney......... 

Attached to third circuit for election of regents____ 

Offices of judge and attorney, authorized to be abolished, when_ 

Upper Peninsula: 

Number of senators and representatives... 

Extra compensation to______ 

Elections and canvass, when........ 

Taxes raised, how disposed of---- 

Mining companies, charters may be regulated...--- 

Vacancies in Office, declaring, filling..... 

Of governor, lieutenant governor acts.... 

Of lieutenant governor, president pro tern, of senate acts.... 

Of senator, filled b) r election----- 

Of representatives, filled by election..... 

Of county officers, filled by election.... 

Of judge of supreme court, governor appoints.. 

Of circuit judge, governor appoints........ 

Of judge of probate, governor appoints ..... 

Of state officers, governor appoints... 

Caused by removal governor appoints... 

Of regents, governor appoints....... 

Of county clerk, circuit judge may fill.......... 

Of prosecuting attorney, circuit judge may fill.... 

Vacancy during proceedings to impeach--- 

How supplied........ 

Removal of judge or justice from his jurisdiction creates, etc__ 

Justice of the peace elected to fill, holds for residue of term .... 

Villages, incorporation of...---- 

Powers of taxation, borrowing money and loaning credit to be restricted 
Judicial officers of, to be elected----- 


75 

Art. Sec. 

... 14 

11 

14 

11 

... 14 

12 

... 14 

13 

... 14 

14 

.... 15 

13 

.... 19 

7 

Sched. 

28 

.... 18 

1 

4 

20 

.... 11 

1 

11 

2 

.... 10 

11 

.... 11 

2 

4 

38 

. .. 13 

12 

.... 13 

12 

.... 4 

49 

.... 6 

30 

____ 6 

30 

.... 5 

11 

.... 5 

11 

.... 6 

27 

.... 6 

27 

.... 6 

28 

.... 4 

46 

.... 13 

8 

13 

8 

.... 13 

11 

.... 19 

1 

.... 19 

4 

.... 19 

2 

.... 19 

3 

.... 19 

5 

.. Sched 

. 25 

_ .Sched, 

, 25 

.... 19 

4 

.... 19 

5 

.... 19 

6 

.... 19 

7 

.... 19 

9 

.... 4 

37 

.... 5 

12 

.... 5 

13 

.... 5 

10 

.... 5 

10 

.... 10 

5 

.... 6 

14 

.... 6 

14 

.... 6 

14 

.... 8 

3 

.... 12 

8 

.... 13 

6 

.... 6 

10 

.... 6 

10 

.... 12 

4 

.... 12 

3 

.... 6 

22 

.... 6 

17 

.... 15 

13 

.... 15 

13 

.... 15 

14 
































































76 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. 

Villages— Continued. Art. Sec. 

Other officers, elected or appointed_ 15 14 

Private property taken for, compensation, etc......15 

Value, how determined_____ 15 > 

Alteration of charter, notice to be given of__ 15 16 

Voters, qualifications of_ 7 1 

Votes in Legislature, when i be viva voce ...__._.... 4 11 

Warrants, foi search and seizure. to be supported by oath_ 6 26 

Witnesses, competency of, not affecte,. bv religious belief. 6 34 

Accused to be confronted by__ 6 28 

To have proc ss for... 6 28 

Not to be unreasonably detained.. 6 31 

Yeas and Nays, when to be entered on journal___ 4 10 

Votes on nomination to senate to be made by_ 4 11 

On reconsideration of bills vetoed__ 4 14 

On passage of bills. 4 18 

On amendments to constitution_ 20 1 

























































































































